Fighting Monopoly

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30294, 21 November 1963, Page 19

Fighting Monopoly

—W. J. Collins (Communist) We New Zealanders are now confronted with the most important task in our country’s history—the task of breaking the power of foreign big business monopoly over our lives. It calls for a resurgence of that militant progressive spirit that has become our tradition. It demands the unity of all patriotic New Zealanders in a nation-wide united front determined to establish real national independence, open the road to a vast new and rapid development of our nation and advance the security, welfare and living standards of our people. The Communist Party policy stands to restore i democratic and trade union l rights: to recognise the wo -

ing people as New Zealand's most valuable capital—the producers of all past, present and future wealth: to strengthen the trade unions as the main organisations of the working people, who constitute over 90 per cent of those actively engaged in industry, trade and commerce: to oppose all attempts 'to break down working condi- ) tions, extend shifts or introi duce speed-ups: to give complete freedom to our people by restoring and expanding democratic rights by repealing the iniquitous Public Safety Conservation Act and Police Offences Laws that hamper full and free activity of the people. We are, and will continue. I fighting for all political ■ parties and trade unions to Shave access to the radio and ! television. Suppression Throughout the world today. in what is called an enlightened and civilised age, coloured peoples are being suppressed and subjected to inhuman treatment. The Communist Party policy is to make racial discrimination a penal offence. New Zealand's signature to the Declaration of Human Rights incorporates the right for freedom of personal opinion and belief, adequate living standards, medical care, equal pay for equal work, amongst other things. The Communist Party’s ) policy is to honour those rights with an adequate and increased income for Social Security beneficiaries: a living wage for a 40-hour week: to raise personal tax exemption to £800; abolish the social security tax on wages; equal pay for equal work—equal wages would put another £3O million in women workers' pockets—and free medical care, with a reduction in armament expenditure to £5-million and the balance of £25-million to be spent on improving social services.

Under the present system of private profit, wages are continually under attack, living standards insecure, national independence open to threat, and peace always menaced. Only with the ending of the private profit system or capitalism with its exploitation of man by man. and the building of socialism in our country, will living standards be made secure and continually rising. Only then will our independence be guaranteed and a lasting peace assured. Only thus will we. a virile, united nation, march on to a glorious destiny.