COMBATING RUSSIAN SUPPORTERS.

Evening Star, Issue 21129, 15 June 1932, Page 9

COMBATING RUSSIAN SUPPORTERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As a member of the Friends of tlio Soviet Union in Dunedin. I strongly resent the implication in your interview with a local business man that all Russian supporters were notorious for their cries of “ stinking fish ” regarding the country in which they were now domiciled. In expressing the opinion that New Zealand is one of the finest countries in the world, I think I shall be expressing the views of the majority of the other members of the organisation. Where we differ, however, is on the merits of the social system established in this country and in the Soviet Union. This does not infer that the Soviet system is ideal or adaptable to New Zealand, but that it is worthy of the utmost consideration in view of such statements as those expressed by Professor Fisher, of Otago University, and others of similar rank, that the Soviet Union is forging ahead while the capitalist world is in a state of despair. In other words, the people of the Soviet Union may be starving, but they arc full of hope, while the people of the rest of the world live amidst luxury and are falling down in degradation. If your informant has given any consideration to the real issues involved, between Socialism as practised in the Soviet Union, and Capitalism in the rest of the world, he will have observed this fact for himself. In your article it was noticed that the wellknown business man was an employer of a staff of fifty, and as it is the usual custom to

employ labour only when it returns a satisfactory profit, it can readily bo seen that he has every reason to bo well satisfied with existing conditions. Perhaps if he was in the position of many of our unfortunate citizens who have been unable to get work for several years and have been compelled to live in wretched surroundings while others have more money than they can spend, his story would have been far too rebellious for any of our respectable dailies. Your informant brings to mind the words of Lenin when ho advised the workers of the world to “ let the bourgeoisie tremble at the thought of the Communist Revolution.” His exhortation makes one wonder if this great Russian leader really believed that his Marxian doctrines would one day sweep the world. When one considers the tremendous growth of Communism since the Great War and the industrial unrest throughput tho world through financial instability and the failure of Capitalism to provide for the masses, there is every reason for members of the “ boss-class ” to become alarmed.

The suggestion that Soviet supporters should ho financed to Russia would be interesting if practicable. First of all, it should be noted that New Zealand supporters of the Soviet would be informed on thoir arrival in their “ ideal ” country that they were not wanted, and that their task awaited them in their own country. It should also be remembered that even if New Zealand admirers of the Soviet Union could be safely deported, there is the much greater problem ahead _of suppressing the growing revolt in every Capitalist country and colony in the world. The bourgeoisie, in some countries, has already attempted to terrorise militant workers by shooting some of them, but even this method has not checked the “Red Dragon” feai’ed by the business man. Even in this fair country, steps have been taken to arrest the influence of the Communist Party by flinging its most able leaders' into prison for three years. It will be interesting to sec how the policy works out.—l am, etc., Truth Seeker. Juno 15. [We should be interested to see any statistics which our correspondent can produce showing the “ growth ” of Communism in the last fourteen years. We would point out, also, that the persons who got three years’ imprisonment would have incurred the same penalty if they had acted in the same way without being Communists. Their punishment was for inciting others to resist the law by militant methods, and for advising revolutionary violence to accomplish their ends.—Ed., E.S.]

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I heartily endorse the views expressed in your interview on ‘ Friends of New Zealand.’ The suggestion made by the local business man appears to me a very practical one, and I am therefore enclosing 10s as the first donation to the fund to send the Friends of the Soviet to the Utopia they desire. 1 would suggest that the fund he known as the “ Back to Russia ” fund, and that through your columns donations bo solicited from all business men in Otago. .Should this project have the misfortune to fail, please hand the 10s to any charitable fund from which the Friends of flic Soviet cannot benefit.

Their supplies should be derived from Russia, the “ Land of their desire.”— I am, etc., June 15. N.Z. for the Enzeds. [A postal note for 10s is enclosed.— Ed., E.S.]

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Regarding the article entitled ‘ Friends of New Zealand ’ in to-night’s ‘ Star,’ it is a pity tho well-known business man did not have the courage to disclose his name to back up his fanciful assertions. As one of the newlyformed society, I do not decry New Zealand. < It is Messrs Forbes, Coates, and Stewart who tell us this country is in such a fearful state, and a large section of the community are only entitled to enough to keep body and soul together. Of course, they themselves are not in that category. Anybody making those statements in the U.S.S.R. would be classed as unpatriotic and shot, and I believe rightly so. It is no question of “ stinking fish ” for No. 5 men, but no fish at all, few eggs—in fact, very plain living, high thinking, and lots of exercise (forty miles to and from work in four days) in very threadbare trousers covered by well-patched dungarees to hide the—l almost blush to say—lingerie. I claim to be much more loyal than “Well-known Business Man,” as I believe every New Zealander should be well fed, well housed, and well clothed before any bondholders in London are paid. Believe me, I revel in Bolshevik heresies. Before the war we were told one Britiisher was as good as two Gormans. Well, being an internationalist, I am very modest, and just claim one New Zealander is as good as one Italian or Frenchman, so if financiers in London could spare £780,000,000 to our late Allies, then as regards our contribution I would say, in the words of the old songs “ What’s a’ the steer, kimmer? ” and “Ye’d better bide a wee.” “ Well-known Business Man ” says many disloyalists had been in gaol. Well, that is nothing new under Capitalism. Very religious men in Capitalistic Jerusalem put Christ in gaol; they crucified Him, too. Very learned savants said Paul and his friend in Ephesus disturbed the peace, and, having no argument, for two hours yelled: “ Great is Diaua of the Ephesians! ” How history repeats itself If the well-known business man will go round the Chamber of Commerce with the hat and raise enough I will go to Russia with wife and family, and let him know how I get on. At present T cannot raise the fare to Burnside.—l am, etc., C. S. MacArthur. June 14.