GOOD PROGRESS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22584, 12 March 1948, Page 4

GOOD PROGRESS

NATIONAL PARTY VIEWS ON COMMUNISTS SUPPRESSION SOUGHT (PA.) WELLINGTON, March 12. “We are now almost half-way to the next general election and the political pulse is beginning to quicken," said the president, Mr. W J. Sim. K.C., at a meeting of the Dominion council of the National Party which began yesterday and will be continued today. The party, he added, had made considerable and gratifying progress in the Westland by-eiection where a well-or-ganised and vigorous campaign had led to a very satisfactory result. They were fortunate in having a spirit of unity in the party which was probablv the envy of their political opponents and the leader of the party, Mr. S. G. Holland, and his colleagues would have solid support and loyalty in the fight which was before them this year and next. Referring to the international political (Situation, Mr. Sim said the world migh be on the eve of dramatic events arising from Communist activities bath at home and abroad. The National Party would support to the full all possible measures for the suppression and defeat of the Communists and Communism in New Zealand, at the same time not overlooking the fact that the fundamental Communist doctrine, namely, the socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange had not yet been renounced by the present Government as its political gospel. Mr. Holland said the Government had been warned for years past that “if you don’t control the Communists they will control you.” They were now beginning to realise the truth of those warnings. The country was sick and tired of what was going on.