COMMUNIST PARTY ELECTION AIMS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22940, 7 May 1949, Page 6

COMMUNIST PARTY ELECTION AIMS

A report of the recent national committee meeting held in Auckland on March 19 and 20 was given by Mr. H. M. Smith, national executive member, to the Gisborne branch of the New Zealand Communist Party on Tuesday evening.

Mr. Smith outlined the growing internal and international crises and dealt with the Communist policy in the forthcoming general elections. He condemned the preparations now being made for a third world war and said that the signing of the Brussels and Atlantic pacts could only be viewed with alarm.

The New Zealand Communist Party, he declared, would oppose the introduction of conscription in the Dominion in peacetime as unnecessary expenditure when the needs of the workers required immediate attention. The Labour Government was endeavouring to lead the people along the policy of imperialism led by U.S.A., which was whipping up war •,hysteria. Because of this, Mr. Smith said, his party would oppose the Labour Government by putting up as many candidates as possible. The Napier branch was considering the question and he hoped the Gisborne branch also would go into the matter. To meet election expenses the party had launched a campaign to raise £6OOO and already it had been given pledges and assurances for over £SOOO.