MENTION IN HOUSE ABOUT MR. ELLIOTT'S "RAID"

Chronicle (Levin), 10 July 1947, Page 5

MENTION IN HOUSE ABOUT MR. ELLIOTT'S "RAID"

- AVELLIXGTOX, July 9. Arr. Fraser, answering a question by Afr. A. J. Alurdoch in the House of Representatives, as to whether the Government would legislate to prohibit entry into this countrv of Australian agitators and otlier umlesirable persons intent on the disruption of Xew Zealand 's domestie alfairs, said the Government was prepared to take any steps essential for the protection of the industrial, economic and social life of our countrv from any individual or set of individuals.

Alr. Fraser said the Government was supported in this attitude by trade union organisations as was expressecl unanimously by the last annual conferenee of the Federation of Labour. The Prime Alinister added that the powers in present legislation were quite adequate to nieet any difficulties of the .jlature indicated by Alr. Alurdoch. Arr. Alurdoch said Alr. Fraser 's feply was a feeble attempt to sidetrack the real question. If, as Alr. Fraser claimed, adequate powers existed already to prevent the entry of such undesirable persons, why had those powers not been used'to exelude Arr. Elliott who was a friend of the Alinister of AVorks. Alr. Bemple: AVhat! Alr. Alurdoch said the official publicatioji of the union Afr. Elliott represented had boasted that he obtained £10,000 for the crew of the AVanganeila without any legal jus.tifieation, There was need for legislation to prevent a repetition of such aetions as this and the Prime Alinister 's unswer was noi satisfactory.