Mr Muldoon and the S.U.P.

Press, 25 March 1980, Page 16

Mr Muldoon and the S.U.P.

Sir, —An article under the headline “Socialism the only answer — S.U.P.” (“The Press,” March 21), stated that one of the most important steps to bring about this social change was the strengthening of the trade unions, and then went on to say that capitalism tries to weaken the trade unions. In an article in “The Press,” May 28, 1975, a former editor of the “New Statesman,” a British socialist weekly review, had different ideas about trade unions and socialism. He said that the trade union movement is not only self-defeating in terms of its own aims, but a growing obstacle to socialist ones, and that unionism is killing socialism in Britain and the working class has been badly served by the trade union movement as the strike weapon is outdated and often hurts the worker more than the people it is directed against.—Yours, etc., J. LOGAN. Ashburton. March 24, 1980. Sir, — N. R. Dixon’s comparison (March 21) of the S.U.P. and c ommunism, with disease and evil is hardly original, and not particularly apt either. Can he, or she, name one of the countries that now has a Marxist or Communist Government as ever having been a democracy (in the sense that New Zealand still is)? There was only one — Czechoslovakia — and that nation was betrayed to Hitler by Britain and France, at Munich in 1938. On the other hand, there are many, democratically and freely-elected socialist or Marxist, governments, which have been, in turn, contaminated, undermined, and overthrown by fascist/capitalist reaction — notably Spain, 1936-39 - Iran 1953; Guatemala, 1954; Brazil, 1965; the Dominican Republic, 1965; and 'Chile 1973. — Yours, etc., M. T. MOORE. March 22, 1980. Sir, — Your emotive correspondent David Close (March 21), like so many Labour supporters, writes an excellent letter of self-con-tradiction. He claims he is a Christian, but bleats in horror at the publication of a list of Moscow-aligned Communists whose atheistic ideals would destroy Christianity if they could. He says he believes in freedom but supports groups who

deny others the choice to play sport with whom they wish. As a member of the Labour Party, or socialist party, as many people refer to it. he presumably is against all who would exercise independence as well. I fully support and congratulate the Prime Minister in keeping us informed as to who the leaders of democratic destruction are in this country. I hope he continues to do so. I personally do not object to being investigated by the S.I.S. if they desire. — Yours, etc., PAUL DAVIS. March 23, 1980. Sir, — I am disgusted with Mr Muldoon’s latest Red-scare tactics. All New Zealanders of whatever colour, creed or sex have a right to belong to whatever political party they choose, whether .it. be S.U.P., National, or even neo-Nazi. Furthermore, all New Zealanders have a right not to be harassed for their political views. The strength of a democracy rests in the diversity of views, and not in the political clout of one man. Is New Zealand a democracy or a banana republic? I am fast becoming ashamed of New Zealand ana the way it wants us. Ironically, I am opposed to the S.U.P. philosophy. — Yours, etc., J. V, PETERSEN. March 22, 1980, Sir, — All New Zealanders of voting age can at present exercise their democratic right to choose freely any political party. Would they have that right should the S.U.P. ever gain political control in New Zealand? I fail to see how anyone can support policies of a country like Russia where people prefer to risk death while escaping than to remain under a State control they are unable to vote out.- —• Yours, etc., H. MARKS. March 22, 1980,