SOCIAL’ CREDIT BODY OPPOSED TO COMMUNISM

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 April 1948, Page 2

SOCIAL’ CREDIT BODY OPPOSED TO COMMUNISM

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 2. “Opposition to Communism and Fascism was expressed by delegates to the seventeenth annual conference of the New Zealand Social Credit Association held in Christchurch this week,” says a report issued tO ( the press. A resolution passed was “that this annual conference is definitely opposed to the philosophy and P°b~ tical ideology of both Communism and Fascism. The association stands for the sacredness of human personality, and stresses the supremacy of the individual over the State, and of freedom over regimentation.” Delegates reaffirmed their belief in private ownership and enterprise as the only sound basis for an economic system, but in discussion agreed that it was the root’causes of Communism that had io be sought, for and attacked, says the statement. Criticism of the principle underlying the present Parliamentary superannuation scheme was expressed in a resolution “that while this conference approves wholeheartedly the principles of superannuation, it deplores the disparity displayed in the amount allowed to members of Parliament and that which is made available to the rest of the community. It also emphatically protests against the terms on which that allowance is made.” ‘•Speaking to a remit which urged the Government to make no & further change in the New Zealand constitution without a referendum of the people of the Dominion, many delegates expressed grave misgivings on the passing of the New Zealand Constitution Amendment Bill ” the statement continues. “It was reported that the association had obtained a legal opinion which made it abundantly clear that the legislation did away with the supremacy of the Imperial Parliament —possibly a dormant supremacy—but nevertheless one vital to the unity and strength ol the Empire. From now New Zealand would be free to conclude treaties with any foreign countries, and who could say what pressure either from inside or out might be applied in the yeais ahead. It appeared that the dismemberment of the British Empire so fervently desired by some sections was being accomplished by subtle means of which the ordinary man and woman was totally unaware. The great com monwealth of democracy was too big to be tackled as a whole, so was to be detached unit by unit.”