“GREATER THAN ATOM BOMB”

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25797, 7 May 1949, Page 2

“GREATER THAN ATOM BOMB”

COMMUNIST FIFTH COLUMN MR HOLYOAKE’S VIEWS The spread of Communism and New Zealand’s lack of preparedness in the event of “a shooting war” were discussed by Mr K. J. Holyoake. DeputyLeader of the Opposition, in an address at Sumner last evening. “In Europe we have changed from one dictatorship to another,” he said. “Fourteen men in the Kremlin have determined to conquer the world for Communism,” Since the end of the war 116,000,030 in Europe had been claimed for Communism, said Mr Holyoake. These people were far more under the finger of Moscow than any British Dominion had been under the control of London. And yet. even in New Zealand, the Communists had the audacity to point the finger of scorn at British imperialism. This was a cold war in which Communism was changing the face of the world, Mr Holyoake said. What had not been done in two “shooting” wars had been achieved in the cold war. The whole world was rapidly being conquered in the greed for power. “While we are in this cold war, there is always the danger of a military war,” he added. "I believe that the Communists have a terrific weapon, a weapon I believe is greater thrin the atomic bomb —the fifth column. They have it in every country, including New Zealand. “What is New Zealand doing about defence? There is the question of the military training of our young men. The National Party believes that there should be a system of universal military training. We are not warmongers, but we think that we owe it to the young men to see that they are trained,” he said. The Government had taken no action because the Federation of Labour (the real Government of New Zealand) had opposed universal training, Mr Holyoake said. Because of the political power of Communists in the militant unions, young men were being denied their training. x