Rocket Range Ban Arouses Indignation

Chronicle (Levin), 15 May 1947, Page 5

Rocket Range Ban Arouses Indignation

Press Assn.-

By Telegrgph

Copyright

Received W.ediiesday, 7.55 p,.pi. CANBER'RA, May 14. The Foderal .execufiv-e of the Austyalian Party today declared war on the Cpmm unist Par.ty to tliwart its mpve for a .ban on the rocket r'ange wprk. in a resolu.tipn canried nnaniniously the executive accused the Lommunist Party of ' ' acting in the interests of a foreign power. " The resoluLion eongratulated Mr. ,Cliifl.ey on his firm stahd and added: ' ' Communist propaganda is for the sole purpose of defeating Australia's defence policy in the interests of a foreign power. ' ' The exeeuti.ve's decision follows a statement by the Attorney-Genera'l, Dr. Evatt, to the Australian Labour Party eonferenee, that the Cominunists had develpped the teehnique of usiug the nnious to dec.lare political war on the Goveriimenr 's and Conslitution 's authority. He left no doubt in the minds of the delegates of the identity of the power o. hich, he stated, was behind the threatened bahSpeakers at the eonferenee said they were not impressed by ihe Communist Party 's ofiieial disavowal of responsibility for the black ban move initiated by the building trade? group of unions. It was empha^ised during the discussion that the deelaration by Mr. Chifley that "work will go on," contained a threat of action if any attempt at sabotaire was made.

in the House of Representatives today Dr. Evatt said that his opinion was that the objection to the building o:.! the rocket range was part of a plau to cle feat the - project. "The pamphlet circulated by the Communist party clearly shows that its objection is to the defence proposals, ' ' he said. "This is very serious. The rocket range project is not for aggressive action. it is simply for the defence of the British o'ommonvvealth. ' '