Greymouth Evening Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1948. The Real Danger To Peace

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 October 1948, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1948. The Real Danger To Peace

PUBLIC uneasiness at the inadequacy of New Zealand’s defence preparations can only be increased by the agitation to prevent the introduction of national service. This agitation gives the impression .of a campaign deliberately planned. It is plain that there are militant elements in the community whose aim is to assist in keeping the democracies weak. Whether they are Communists or not, they are playing the Communist, game. Actually an astonishing air of unreality characterises the international situation — at least in that larger part of the world which declares itself 1o be in opposition to the masters of the Kremlin. The Berlin impasse has made it clear just how dangerous the international situation is. It would be less dangerous if the West were to show more visible signs of backing its diplomacy with,united military and economic strength. The Socialists are the confusing force; they are confused themselves. Their ranks are riddled with Communists, crypto-Communists, and ‘ 4 fellow-travel-lers.” ■

While at the United Nations Assembly Mr Bevin speaks strongly against Com-munist-aggression, at home many voices in the party which says it supports him express views varying from the slightly divergent to outright opposition. And many of these people are neither Communists nor Communist sympathisers. At least, ihey do not openly declare themselves. Even Cabinet Minislers and other prominent Government members, are among Ihose whose speeches serve to illustrate the crumbling nature of the Socialist wall. From the Russian point of view there can be no advantage in changing from a relatively costless type of war —the “cold war ” —which has brought such dividends, to the hazards of open warfare. But if the “cold war” ceases to pay—and there is evidence of this already—we must be prepared for a final decision by force of arms. The greatest danger, therefore, comes not from Russian policy—that danger is great enough —but from our own lack of defensive strength. If we are strong, Russia may come to see sense, yield to our morally-based claims and avoid the hazardous gamble of war. The resultant peace might continue uneasy, but it would offer hope of a permanent solution. In weakness lies certain defeat—whether war comes or not. The Communist and his sympathisers are well aware of that. lienee the campaign, made easy by Socialist weakness and near-relationship, to keep the democracies weak. At present in New Zealanc] — as well as in Britain and Australia —almost every facility is open to the Communists to sabotage .industry and defence preparations and prepare their fifthcolumn in leisure and comfort. Their intrigues in the trade unions are unchecked. Their propaganda is openly hawked. The Socialists may vaunt their so-called tolerance, but in reality it comes very near connivance. The Socialists are “tolerant” because they cannot afford to be anything else; their political existence depends upon it. It is as well to remember that when a Socialist lets loose a verbal broadside at the “Reds.”