COMMUNIST LINE ON DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

Grey River Argus, 18 September 1948, Page 5

COMMUNIST LINE ON DEFENCE OF AUSTRALIA

SYDNEY, Sept. 17

The statement dv the Communist, Mr G. Burns, of Brisbane that Australian Communists would fight for Russia against Britain in the event of hostilities, has caused widespread reactions. Opposition members in the Queensland Parliament demanded immediate criminal prosecution of Mr Burns. In the Federal House of Representatives Mr Francis (Liberal) asked the Prime Minister (Mr Chifley) what action the Government proposed to take. Mr Chifley undertook to reply Officials of ex-servicemen’s organisations said the statement proved there was a fifth column in Australia and called on ex-servicemen to fight Communism. The president of the Australian Communist Party, Mr R. Dixon, said Mr Burn’s statement did not reflect the views of the central committee of the Communist Party.

Communists Would Defend Australia Says Another Leader

(Rec. 11.10) SYDNEY, Sept. 17 The President of the Australian Communist Party, Mr R. Dixon was asked what would be the attitude of the Australian Communist Party- m the event of war between the Western Powers and the Soviet. Mr Dixon replied: “In nil circunistances, the Australian Communist Party will defend the independence of Australia against any threat of enslaving the country, irrespective ox whether it is of an economic or a military character. Soviet Russia had no aggressive intentions, ana has not threatened this country in any wav. Only in the event of the present Soviet Government being overthrown and a fascist government replacing it, would Russia menace Australia, in that event, it would be the duty of every Australian citizen to help in the defence of this country.”