Communists In Australia: N.Z. Warned

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 March 1948, Page 9

Communists In Australia: N.Z. Warned

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 17. “It is high time that we, in this little country, took heed of the menace of Communism. These people have a philosophy foreign to the average New Zealander. It stands, not for co-operation, but for embarrassment, obstruction and destruction,” said Mr R. Semple, Minister of Works, today. Mr Semple said, he had seen, at first hand in Australia, the sufferings of a nation where Communists gained a stranglehold through the unions of some of the key industries and essential services. “In Queensland today, women and children are bordering on starvation for no other reason than that tfie Communists have used a section of the workers to test their strength against the Government,” he said.

“They attempted it, and failed in Victoria, and then chose Queensland, where they believed they were more likely to succeed because a Labour Government was in office. The Queensland Premier has taken up the challenge, and the fight is going on between the forces of disruption and the democratic Government. If the Government should lose, then C|od help Queensland and the rest of Australia, because the Communists will not rest until they gain complete control.”

“Bash Gang’s" Work

Mr Semple said a ‘bash gang” was in operation in Queensland. “They have not reached a stage where they can eliminate their enemies by guns, but the right of freedom of speech has gone at meetings called in support of the strikers. Drastic laws have had to be passed by the Queensland Government to give protection to those who work, and to prevent Communists molesting the workers. Every method, bar shooting, is being used to intimidate the unsympathetic, and it is clear that the Communists are making an all-out bid for victory.

Over 50 years of aeUve participation in trade unionism irad convinced him that the vast majority of trade unionists were honest and conscientious citizens, who wanted nothing better than to be allowed to get on with their jobs, said Mr Semple. Appeal To Workers

“They don’t want to help wreck their country,” he added. “I appeal to them to take a livelier interest in their union affairs, to prevent the Communistic element securing the key positions. Before it is too late, the workers should awaken to a realisation that the Communists are their enemies, not their friends. “I, and thousands of others dedicated our lives to fighting to bring about the decent conditions existing today,” Mr Semple said. “I and others have been persecuted and victimised in the days gone by for helping the working-class. Today, I am branded by these Communists as a traitor or a capitalist ‘quisling’; but I would be a coward if I were to sit idly by and see what has been achieved for the working-class destroyed by the agents of disruption and anarchy.” TIMARU R.S.A. URGES ACTION (P.A.) TIMARU, March 17. The executive of the South Canterbury R.S.A. unanimously passed the following resolution: “That the attention of the Government be drawn to the activities of the subversive elements in the community, and where it has been proved that these people are acting in a manner calculated to jeopardise the security of the British Empire, that steps be taken to deprive them of British citizenship.” Chambers Of Commerce Support Government (P.A.) DUNEDIN, March 17. Warm support for the Government’s stand against Communistic elements in New Zealand was reflected by delegates at the conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce this morning, when welcoming a remit on the subject. The remit was introduced by Mr G. D. Stewart (Wellington), and seconded by Dr E. P. Neale (Auckland), and carried unanimously. It stated: “In view of the violence and suppression of freedom associated with the spread of Communism, knowing that people of this country are strongly opposed to this doctrine, which is both destructive and disloyal, this conference commends the Government for its stand against Communistic elements and gives its assurance of whole-hearted support for any stronger measures which may be found necessary in upholding the laws of the country.”