STIRRING UP TROUBLE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 148, 27 June 1929, Page 17

STIRRING UP TROUBLE

' MORE COMMUNIST INTRIGUE

rJDhe Welfare. League writes:—

In view.: of the serious industrial troubles in, Australia, it is well that we should keep a close watch on the activities of Communist agitators in New Zealand. On the other side some of the large Labour unions have been wormed Into by militant Bolsheviks for the purpose of creating discord. The outcome, has been very serious, as everybody knows.

In Australia this subversive intrigue is called "white-anting the unions." There is nothing white about the underhand, methods used. The unions are not consulted, but their members are worked upon individually to ferment trouble. We do not:wish to give the Communist Party in • Nsw Zealand any importance, but consider it ia right the public should know what is taking place. •Recently the Press published for us a copy of a letter sent out by the Communist Party calling for militancy in the key industries of the Dominion.' Freezing Workers, coal miners, and waterside workers were being called upon to form a militant workers'; movement. Industrial militarism was the keynote, and the purpose is certainly not peaceful. Here is another copy of a letter we have obtained. The only change made is fhe alteration of "Trade Union Depart|nent";to "Industrial- Department":-—; Communist Party of New Zealand.Industrial Department. ■': 12, Knigge avenue, . ' • ■■ ■ - Wellington..

(Comrade, —■ — ■ - / \ • The Communist Party is making an attempt to co-ordinate the activities of \ all militant workers up and down the country. , For this reason an Industrial Department has been set up. This Industrial Department intends to supply all militants with information and advice on .■matters in connection with their own and different industries. - To make this possible the department must be supplied with the fullest information on all matters arising in the different unions; Your name ha 3 been given as a militant worker, and we trust you will see the necessity for i.hi 3 work. We are asking you to co-operate to the fullest possible exten,t. A personal letter to the department will always be Welcomed. In addition, we make a Bpecial appeal to all militants to fill the enclosed form. This will show us tow you have fared with any resolution, etc.-, supplied by the Industrial . Department. It will tell us of any mat- ■ ters of interest arising in your union. The department will . endeavour to ,-.«upply any information or advice you may require, and would like any sug"gestion from you for the better work , jbf the department. The names of any pother militant trade' unionists known !'to you would also assist us. "Trusting to have an early reply. ! (Signed) J. Robertson, '. ' ' Industrial Secretary. '> I have also- sent a copy of this letter v|sad resolution to the following . . f jSTote.—Then follows the names of men 'it Bulls, Foxton, Tokomaru. As we are Sot dealing with personalities we leave the names out.)

A SUGGESTIVE ENCLOSURE. Together with the letter is the following on a. separate sheet:— "This union repudiates the agreement teacned by, the representatives of the flaxmill owners and the representatives of the union which provides for a sliding scale basis for the wages of workers in •the flax industry. We maintain that the first consideration of the union should beto ensure a living wage to the workers. We further instruct the union secretary to proceed against such employers as have not paid the back pay due under jhe recent decision of the Arbitration Court." As it is not signed by anybody or hddressed to anybody, it could be easily repudiated. The Communist could readily declare it "another Zinovicif, letter, forgery." All we need say is that these Suggestions dropped in somehow. Evidently a prepared motion for a union meeting. The unions will know how the trick is- worked.

COAL AND TRANSPORT. The industries requiring most close attention at present are those of coalmining and sea transport. Communists in the bouth have been showing a desire'to pieVent coal being sent to Australia. We do Mot think the unions in New Zealand Want conflict.at the present time. It is the irresponsible militants who have to foe watched. The Communist Party knows it has no influence politically and turns its mischievous hand to the work of sabotaging the industrial machine JL'heir secretary wants to know where we get our information. All lie need know is that we have many friends amongst the ■workers and others who, though riot friendly, are glad to see the Communists' tricks exposed.