Warning Against Communist Danger

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30739, 1 May 1965, Page 14

Warning Against Communist Danger

Sir,—The evils of communism, so aptly described by your correspondent, “A.M.,” should encourage us to greater efforts to feed the starving millions of Asia. It is computed that half the population of the world go to sleep hungry. Unless we can show our way of life is superior, they will fall victims of communism. The inevitable devastation and chaos of modern war greatly increase this real risk.—Yours, etc., SETH NEWELL. April 30, 1965.

Sir, —As I am an ex-service-man, would Mr I. T. Galloway answer the following questions? Did communism cause the South African war? Did communism cause World War I? Did communism cause that terrible depression of the 1930’5? Did communism cause World War ll?—Yours, etc. C. C. McLEAN. April 26, 1965.

Sir,—The postulation advanced by “A.M.” that “the increase in communism after both world wars was not brought about by the free will of the people, but by revolution,” naturally induces the most politically backward person to query the theoretical basis of revolt, which is not successfully achieved by “whim or caprice,” comparable with our method of changing governments periodically. The emergence of capitalism from feudalism no doubt caused considerable heartaches in some quarters, commensurate with the emotional Cromwellian epoch. Any new system evolves out of the redundant conditions existing in an order incapable of fulfilling the needs and aspirations of people, plus the inevitable efforts of politicians excelling among themselves to create war situations under the illusion that this extends a passing doomed epoch at an historical time able to divide the resultant gains.—Yours, etc., D.H.C. April 30, 1965.

Sir,—Melville B. Mitchell’s comment, “that as the principal of a Christchurch institution, he (Mr Galloway) is betraying the glorious youth of whom he is mentor,” is contemptible. No-one who has served his country in battle wants to see another war, but of this I am sure: anyone who has done so will be prepared to do so again should it be necessary to preserve our way of life and even Mr Mitchell’s, too. I can only presume that Mr Mitchell would allow his womenfolk and children to be trodden underfoot should an invader reach these shores. The Communists have been waging and continue to wage, a “cold” war interspersed with “hot” incident. Do they not realise that our front line is on the Mekong river? Having been in the “first group to be organised” in 1939. I am proud indeed to be known as one of the “nation’s liars.” —Yours, etc., MATELOT

April 29, 1965? [Elsewhere in this issue Mr Galloway replies briefly to this correspondence, which may now cease.—Ed., “The Press.”]