NEW ZEALAND AND THE SOVIET UNION

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23444, 26 September 1941, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND AND THE SOVIET UNION

Sir,—One should not have read between the lines of Mr Fraser’s statement deploring the holding of meetings proposing help for the Soviet Union the slightest tinge of recrimination, but for the Prime Minister’s record in his own party in relation to the organisation, the Friends of the Soviet Union, and the fact that his statement last week coincided with one furnished to his party’s weekly newspaper, in which vituperation was a feature. I do not remember any resolutions passed at meetings under the auspices of the New Zealand Society for Closer Relations with Russia in which reference was made to the need for greater military aid. But if there had been it would have meant only that New Zealand citizens were claiming the same measure of freedom as those of Britain and newspapers such as “The Times,” London, and the “News-Chronicle.” Mr Fraser’s concept of democracy obviously stops short of this. I have not yet heard of any pontifical scolds from Mr Churchill when people—prominent people —disagreed with the dictum which satisfies Mr Fraser that “every conceivable practicable effort is being made to help the Russian people and the Russian armies.” Surely the Prime Minister would not deplore voluntary effort such as the raising of medical supplies, the need of which was recently emphasised in a cablegram from the Soviet Red Cross to Sydney, or the organisation of ambulance units and the striking of levies on behalf of the Soviet workers by trade unions, such as is being done in Australia! When the Prime Minister of New Zealand is responsible for opinions which imply that our neighbours across the Tasman and “The Times,” London, are taking liberties with democracy, if not with strategic considerations, it makes one wonder whither the country is drifting.—Yours, etc., C. F. SAUNDERS. September 21, 1941.