Who Paid Three Imprisoned Communists' Fines ?

Chronicle (Levin), 21 August 1948, Page 5

Who Paid Three Imprisoned Communists' Fines ?

SYDNEY, August 20. The mystery of who paid the fines of three prominent Queensla'nd Comrnunists released from gaol yesterday is causing speculation throughout Australia. Moderate union officials ! believe that the Communist authori- | ties secretly redeemed the fines and I are sure that the release of the men ! will end extremist plans for the hlockade of Qneensland. Mr. P. J. Clarey, president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, said that his organisation certainly did not pay the fines but that he was j pleased to see the men released as it relieved the tension. Mr. R. H. Brown, acting secretary [ of the Brishane Trades, and Lahour | Coimcil, alleged that ' ' in the difficult political situation that had developed it was up to the Government to devise a method hy which the men could he released. It would seem that the Government had found such a method." From Melbourne the Queensland Piemier (Mr. Hanlon) denied that his Government connived at the release or paid the fines. " I do not' lrnow who paid the fines, but we shall find out, ne added;. ' ' They cannot keep that dark for long. ' • The two other unionists held. will not be released until the fines are paid. I douht whether there will he another envelope full of money to pay for them. Apparently the people who paid the fines were concerned only with the hig fellows. The two still in gaol are only ordinary workers. ' '