THE RED PARTY

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 32, 6 August 1921, Page 5

THE RED PARTY

ITS SCHEME OF CONTEST

TO CAPTURE AUSTRALIA FOR

SOCIALISM

"N.Z. LABOUR PARTY" CON.

FERENCE.

(Contributed by tho N.Z. Welfare League.)

What- the Red element' in Australia and New Zealand ia setting out to accomplish is clearly explained in the reports of the All Australian Labour Conference (which Mr. H. E. Holland, M.P., attended as a delegate) and the N.^. Labour Party's Conference recently hold. The latter opened with an address from the chairman, Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., in which-he stated for his party that "it stood against the methods of force and violence for the achievement of its objects"—the socialisation of the means of production, distribution, and exohange. 'The party adhered wholly and entirely to legal constitutional methods of political action, including the , contesting of Parliamentary, municipal, and local body elections. "The methods of the Labour Party were political, but the means to be adopted in achieving the : party's aims were for the members themselves to decide; there was no inter- | ferenoe from outside New Zealand.

IS THAT TRUE?

Now, we propose to put that statement of Mr. Fraser's to the test and examine whether if is true or false.-First of all, why was it necessary for' him to say "there , was no interference ' from outside New Zealand" ? The report shows that the plans were adopted practically "mi toto" by the conference here. Whether it is "interference" when a conference in Australia (with only one N.Z. delegate present) makes, the policy for a Ne# Zealand party mil depend .on use of language. To most New Zealanders, we think it will appear that an influence was exerted from outside the Dominion. The statement that "the party stood against the methods of foroe and violence for tho achievement of its objects" has to be examined in relation to the known ?aot that tho party has repeatedly affirmed the polioy of establishing "Councils of Action," whioh are designed to exert force upon the nation without Par-" liamentary sanction; whether such foroe would result in violenoe would, of course, depend upon the extent of its application. The present conference decided to "recommend the workers in all countries to form Councils of Action for the purpose of preventing future wire."' The object of preventing wars we can heartily agree with, but the method of' setting up voluntary Councils of Action to dictate the nation's policy by means of an internal .industrial blockade is a direct attack on the Constitution. It was so recognised by Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P . when he saW, with reference to the English example, "that it definitely challenges tho Constitution, there can bo no doubt." Our conclusion is that so long as the N.Z., Party upholds the formation of such Councils of Action the statement "that tho party. stands against force, and in wholly and entirely devoted to legal and constitutional means of political action," is a positively false profession.

A party cannot challenge the nation's Constitution and at the aamo time profess to be wholly devoted to constitutional action without being 1 suoWfc to the charge that it is politically Wpocritical and untruthful. As further •ffimonstrating the ■madness of this party t was revealed in the annual report that it had, "cabled to England, urging the Council of Action to, take similar steps in regard to the Irish situation as it took in regard to Russia." With two million unemployed in Britain, this party recommended the threat of general industrial stoppage of work (the similar steps), which would have added the horrors of starvation in England to the regrettable tragedy in Ireland. To talk of its "adherence to constitutional action" in face of that exhibition makes the party as black with' ignorance, and the disposition of deceit. No marvel if the British Labour Party "'id not reply. .

TO ACHIEVE ITS ENDS. ; The deolared object of the party is: — "The socialisation of the means of production, distribution, and exchange.';

The conference decided on the; following ways and means to achieve the above object:— .

(1) That industrial and Parliamentary maohinery be utilised. | (2) Nationalisation of banking and all i +rhe prinoipal industries. j (3) Municipalisation of buoli servioos ' and supplies as can best be operated in limited areas. (4) Government of nationalised industries by - boards upon which the workers in the industry and' the community shall have representation. • (5) Establishment o£ Elective Economic v Council by all nationalised .industries. (6) Setting up a Labour Researoh and Information Bureau, and of Labour eduoational institutions in which the workers shall be concerned in t,he management of nationalised industries. . Shortly \ summarised the above programme declared that "the party will I use industrial action md also Parliamentary," which may include direct action as well as constitutional. It aims at substituting national and municipal control of all industries and services for ©xisfcirig private ownership and control; thus declaring for a completo economio revolution. A Supreme Economic Council • and National Industrial Boards, with the abolition of private ownership, is simply the subtle wording of a declaration in favour of "proletarian dictatorship" and the establishment of Soviet Government after the Russian Bolshevik pattern, with probable modifications to suit the British temperament of our people. The last plank is to provide the training whereby it is hoped to maka the revolution complete. WHAT THINK YOU? Here definitely is a political-industrial party ' deolaring for revolution to socialist- ends; affirming a polioy whioh ohallenges the nation's and Empire's Constitution and at the same time professing to be loyal and constitutional in its aims. Its nominees take the oath of fealty in Parliament, whilst the party, in association with revolutionists out-side the Dominion, takes steps to effect a revolution here which would destroy the Constitution they are pledged to uphold. Is this a party that should receive any oountenanoe from the people of New Zealand who believo ip honest dealing and faithful fulfilment of obligations ?