Friends of Soviet Union

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 31, 31 October 1932, Page 11

Friends of Soviet Union

Sir, —The controversy between the N.Z. Welfare League and the Friends of th® Soviet Union has resolved itself into an argument of the “Yes you are,” “No I am not” type. Nevertheless, the F.O.S.U. must regard the average New Zealander as a poor sort of fool if they imagine they are getting away with their game of political bluff. It would bo far better for the F.O.S.U. to come into the onen and say candidly that they are out to prove that we are totally wrong and should follow in the track of half-pie Communistic, State capitalistic, atheistic Russia. They would then neither deceive themselves or be attempting to deceive the public. . . . They are either in favour of the Russian system of society, or they are not. If they are, they are cross-bred Communists. 'lf they are not, they are merely beating the air, as there is no more need for an organisation in New Zealand appealing for our friendship on behalf of the people in Russia than there is for a similar organisation representing any other foreign country. I venture >.o say, whatever our past faults, at the present juncture, we are, if anything, rather inclined to be too friendly with certain nations who can neither forget, forgive, or make any reasonable attempt to pay their just debts and mind their own national business.

If there is any need for a Russian -organisation of friendship in New Zealand, then surely there is need of a complementary New Zealand organisation in Russia, and it would be indeed interesting to know how such an organisation would fare if it attempted to adversely criticise the Russian Government, or commenced to sow dragon’s teeth wherever the soil suggested fertility. It simply would not be tolerated for a moment, aud rightly so, and any vain foo-l that took the risk would, as Mr. G. B. Shaw politely explains', “be reported to his or her rela-, tions as having been painlessly liquidated,. which is another, but less abrupt, way i of saying shot at dawn, without compunction, without trial.” ... I While I have the utmost respect t'or Russia, I most certainly think that she should mind her own business, and leave New Zealand to work out her own salvation, and should it ever become necessary for us to send out an S.O.S. for Russia's help, then heaven help New Zealand. — I am, etc., „ —C.E.H. Wgtom. Oct. 27. Sir, —We did not disparage quotations from “Izvestia” because it was a Soviet newpaper, but because it is printed in a language that we are sure the scribes of the Welfare League are incapable of reading in the original. Since they have not given the source of their translation we do not intend to waste time or space on the matter, except to repeat that if this is all the evidence that the league can produce to prove such a weighty accusation they are not to be taken seriously. No one with even an elementary knowledge of the aim si and methods of the F.O.S.U. would pay any attention to the allegation that it participated in an antiGod campaign in Germany. It is not a question of it being right or wrong, but a matter of fact What “the official organ of the Communist International” says as to “future J tasks of the F.0.5.U.” can obviously only apply to Communist members of the F.0.5.U., and they are not by any means the majority. Unfortunately for the Welfare League, the statement that the F.O.S.U. was “inaugurated” in New Zealand as “the first move” of an emissary from Moscow is contrary to the facts. The first branch of ■ the F.O.S.U. was established in Auckland, but not in December, and not by a member of the New Zealand section of the Communist International. The other questions which the league addresses to us are not our concern, and no doubt the information they require can be obtained from the same source as gave the other “information.” For the benefit of your anonymous correspondent, "Watchful,” and also the Welfare League, may we again point out that the F.O.S.U. is a non-party organisation and membership is open to all. who believe in friendship with the Soviet Union and arc willing to give practical evidence of it by organising to prevent war being made by capitalist States or groups of States in the first Workers’ RepublicWe are not responsible to any political party or organisation, and the only connection we have with an international organisation is with the International Secretariat, which, for the sake ot Welfare League, we regret to say is domiciled in Berlin 1 Naturally, being a broad mass organisation, there are members of the Communist Party in the F.0.&.L., and also members of the Labour Partyand many who are members of no political party. In brief, the answer to the last three inquiries of "Watchful” ■is "No. —We are. etc.. — FRIENDS OF THE SOI lET UNION. (Weliingten Branch,) Oct,