ANSWER TO ATTACKS

Grey River Argus, 19 June 1941, Page 4

ANSWER TO ATTACKS

(By M. Moohan, National Secretary, N.Z. Labour Party). During past weeks the readers of the daily Press have been treated to an avalanche of vicious and unfounded criticism of ;the workers’ efforts to win this war. Such words as “treason” and “traitors” were glibly bandied about at the Chamber of Commerce meeting when it was suggested that those closing the 48hour week were guilty of such crimes. One would be forgiven for imagining that the whole of the sacrifices of the war effort were being borne by individuals who spend their life buying and selling goods, and by people who specialise in the importation of wines and spirits. Chambers of Commerce, notorious Tory leaders of the Farmers’ Union, reactionary mayors and racing club officials have had an open season in the daily Press launching under cover of loud-monied patriotism an attack on the workers’ living standards. This type of individual has always strenuously opposed any important social legislation brought down by the Government. Under cover of “bawling out patriotism” they are consolidating their "forces to launch a biv Press a tack on the whole Labour Movement. WHY? The reason is obvious, their hatred of the Labour Movement amounts to fanaticism and is such that the” are all prepared to use the tragedy of war to reimnose what they consider the golden davs between 1931 and 1935. A strong and virile Labour Movement is the answer to these gentlemen and their satellites. Their continued attack on the Trade Union Movement and its officials indicates their desire to abolish Trade Unionism and .thus follow the footsteps of Hitler, Mussolini and Petain. The Labour Movement politically anj industrially must be aroused to the danger of individuals deliberately trving to create serious division and confusion in the communit;/ by half truths and innuendoes With the avowed obiecit of placmo- the. Labour Mo\'ement of New Zealand in' the same category as in the dictatorship countries.