‘Anti-British’ Claim Defended

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30448, 23 May 1964, Page 14

‘Anti-British’ Claim Defended

‘.‘l would sooner die than trade the New Zealand way of life for the murderous policy of the Chinese Communists, just because I was afraid,” said Mr H. J. Walker, member of Parliament for St. Albans, in a statement last evening.

Mr Walker was commenting on a reply by Mr L. F. J. Ross, chairman of the world peace and international affairs committee of the Christchurch branch of the United Nations Association, to his remarks on the committee being anti-British.

“Mr Ross claims he is no hate-mongering anti-Commun-ist: that is obvious. When Mr Ross arrived in New Zealand I seem to recall that publicity given to him was to the effect that he left the Northern Hemisphere in panic, because he was afraid of nuclear fallout. Now he has panicked again.

“Let me assure Mr Ross I have no desire for 'nuclear war, and will do everything in my power to prevent it, but I do not believe in peace at any cost. Like all true New Zealanders I would sooner die than trade our way of life for the murderous policy of the Chinese Communists, just because I was afraid. “How can Mr Ross claim

to accept our way of life with joy and satisfaction when he speaks in such derogatory terms of our heads of State; his comments were a blatant attack on the intelligence of our public Servants, who are daily kept informed of latest developments in the trouble spots of the world, and do not have to depend, as Mr Ross does, on what someone writes in an overseas newspaper. Even Mr Ross must admit writings bear the author’s bias. “If Mr Ross wants to quote authors, why not quote the author of ‘Enemy Within,’written by Raymond J. De Jaegher, a. Roman Catholic priest, with whom I discussed in person his torture at the hands of wardens in a Chinese Communist camp. Why not.go to Vietnam and talk with some of the same Buddhist priests as I talked with, then he would have some knowledge on which to base his arguments. “Direct Insult”

“Mr Ross’s statement that ‘in Wellington they know nothing of what is going on,’ is a direct insult .to Sir Stephen Weir, that splendid statesman and soldier, who is New Zealand’s Ambassador to Thailand and representative in Vietnam. Does Mr Ross expect Wellington to listen and heed his rantings and ravings in preference to Sir Stephen Weir? Does he infer that Sir Stephen Weir is blind and ignorant, merely spending his time wining and dining with dictators?

“Members of Cabinet, senior public servants, the church, Buddhist priests, the. New Zealand medical profession and those who have actually seen are all wrong, according to Mr Ross. Only he who reads what a Communist sympathiser said in an overseas newspaper is right. Who would people expect our leaders of state to take advice from? Those who are in a position to witness 12 months of the year? Or a fanatic who flits from country to country in fear and trembling? “Perhaps Mr Ross would like to say (1) How many people were present when the so-called World Peace committee was elected, and how many were present when the resolutions were passed. (2) How many financial members they have and how many of them are pacifists, and were pacifists against Hitler? (3) How many organisations have withdrawn their representation because of their dissatisfaction with views expressed at the association meetings.

“Our future security is wrapped up in the collective security of South-east Asia. This protection carries with it a measure of responsibility. It is a two-way traffic. We cannot expect all take and no give.

“Although I am a National member of Parliament, I am sure the overwhelming majority of Labour people are not in any way, communist inspired, and are with me 100 per cent in this issue.”