Australia Can Control Communists Without Suppression

Grey River Argus, 8 April 1948, Page 6

Australia Can Control Communists Without Suppression

CANBERRA, April 7. The Federal Parliamentary Labour Caucus decided, almost unanimously; late last night not to take action to suppress the Communist Party. By an overwhelming majority the party rejected a motion by Mr. S. M. Falstein for the appointment of a Party Committee to investigate subversive groups. The decision was made after the Prime Minister, Mr. J. B. Chifiey and the Attorney-General, Dr. Evatt, had outlined the steps taken by the Security Service to check Communist activities. Both are reported to have assured the Caucus that if Communism threatened to become a menace to Australia, action would be taken against the p/rty. Only five members .'.poke in support of Mr. Falstein. These emphasised that the motion was aimed as much at Right Wing organisations of the New Guard type as against Leftists. Mr. Chiflev had told the members that if they forgot the Labour Party itself had been built on the efforts of minorities they would be denying democracy, which had allowed their partv to grow. Dr. Evatt quoted reports to show that the Security Branch had, the matter in hand and that the Security officers claimed that they could round up all dangerous Communists in 24 hours.