GREAT BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 262, 1 August 1929, Page 11

GREAT BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

Sir—The amount of space “The Dominion” has given for our controversy with Mr. W. N. Pharazyn is so generous that we are loth to trespass further. However, the last letter of your correspondent calls for a reply, which we trust you will publish. The defining of our attitude ia a matter which, with all respect, we are most capable of deaiOur views are as follow: Diplomatic relations with Russia, as with other nations, is desirable if honestly observed, but undesirable when used as a cover for subversive attacks on Great Britain and the Empire. (2) The Communist propaganda from Russia is decidedly dangerous. Even short of provoking violent revolution, it has in Britain and various parts of tho*Empire fomented industrial and other disturbances which have entailed great loss. Experience proves that destructive revolts may arise from militant minority action independent of general bad material conditions. Australian seamen have had the best conditions of any, yet there has been more revolt amongst them than from those of any other nation, due to Bed agita-. tion. (3) Bolshevism is not a political movement of the British people, but an attempt to impose upon them by methods of intrigue,' deception and violence a system of dictatorship wholly at variance with their political thought and institutions. Subversive attacks on the State ran and ought to be repressed. Red grievances can be remedied by constitutional methods of reform which representative government provides for. Bolshevism was not the result of the preceding harsh repression which existed in Russia. It was imposed on the Russian people by force and constitutes the substitution of one form of dictatorship for another. We thank Mr. Pharazyn for his assertion that our attitude is “non-rational” and is based on fear. His dogmatism shows us just where he stands. He is wrong in thinking we are moved by fear or concerned about our property. Our opposition to what is known as Bolshevism or Communism is that we regard it as a philosophy which cannot ultimately triumph, but which is doing much harm and therefore should not be treated as an ordinary movement of liberation to be sympathised with.. The fear of Mr. Pharazyn that unless we,fully tolerate Communist agitation it will be driven underground and revolutionary groups will be linked up all over the world,' goaded to fury and create a real world revolution is really somewhat amusing. Has he no knowledge that these groups are now linked up both under and above ground with one common object, “World revolution”? Thus bv the toleration he upholds has come about just the very danger he fears. Surely it. is a foolish fear which takes no stock of actual facts, if anything less rational than the herd emotion. A fear born of over-confidence is a strange mental phenomena. We do not fear. Bolshevism. We fight it as an evil instead of seeking to placate it out of an unthinking fear. —We are, etc., N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE. Wellington, July 20.