The Red Hand In Australia

Chronicle (Levin), 23 August 1949, Page 5

The Red Hand In Australia

(N.Z.P.A.—

- Reuter

. Covyright)

Received Mondav. 7 p.m. LONDON, August 22. "Tlie Tejection by the miners themselves of the plans of their Communist leaders, is a welcome sign of good sense among the rank and file of Australian lahour, " says The Economist. "It is difficult to sav to what extent tliis is due to the uncompromising stand of the Federal Government or whether it was bronght about bv the overwhelming opposition of the Australian publie as a whole. Tlie strike was irresponsible from the start and there was never any justification for throwing several hundred thousand other workers out of work as well. But if a repetition of the strike is to be avoided, the Federal Government would do well to overhaul legislation controlling trade union ballots and so eliminate gerrvmandering at which Communists excel. ''The link between communism in Australia and the strategy of world communism, was emphasised in an article in the Cominform journal of August 1. Written by Mr. R. Dixon, chairman of the Australian Communist Partv, the article reveals that the strike was deliberatelv promoted in order to weaken Australian economv at a time of crisis and in order to prevent preparations for war. The article clashes oddly with the liumble pio which the five Communist officials of tlie Miiiers' Federation are now eating in an attempt to secure their early release from prison where they were ' sent for contempt of Court. " |