WAR EFFORT COMMITTEE

Grey River Argus, 7 May 1942, Page 1

WAR EFFORT COMMITTEE

— Question of Communism GREY COUNTY COUNCIL DISCUSSION. An invitation to be represented on the Greymouth War Effort Committee was received at yesterday’s meeting of the Grey County Council, ana was sponsored by Cr. H. G. Carter, the Chairman, whilst Cr. J. W. Hannan considered the Committee to be under Communistic influence and held that the Council therefore had no reason to be represented on it. The Council finally decided unanimously not to be represented. “Is it the Council’s wish .to be represented on the Committee ?’ asked the Chairman. “It is doing a lot of good for the town, acting as a liaison between the public and the Government.” “I was at their meeting,” said Cr. Hannan, “and I don’t see why the Council should be represented on the Committee. The Council has no mandate from the ratepayers to tell the other chap what to do ! I cannot, see where the Council has any right to be represented. Personally, I. view the movement with a deal of mistrust, and in any case, I do not think that those who have not gone through the horrors and hardships of warfare should set themselves up to tell others what to do in the matter. The Committee has members who are Communists, while “The Magazine Page” of the “Argus” is, apparently, the official press sponsor of the movement. Before affiliating with the movement, Councillors - and the people should investigate as to those responsible and the press sponsorship, and should see if, before Russia joined the war. jthey said anything about the unity of men. Communism is a far greater menace to New Zealand than any war.”

“We ar» approaching an era where politics hardlv count,” said the Chairman. “To-day everyone is in the struggle irrespective of their politics. I don’t think it is right to single out men because of their nolitical beliefs, whether they are Communists or not. We had the experience of the last war, and if people are not going to bestir, we are going to have the same thing happen this war. We must work for a victorious peace. It is quite true what Cr. Hannan savs—that there arc unite a few individual sponsors of this movement who are members of the Communist Party. But there are others, belonging to the National Partv, who are the direct opposits to Communists, and of the Labour Party, who. w? all know are relying on evolutionist methods. I see no reason whv we should not be represented. It is just a party of citizens. Personally, I do not care what the men’s politics are. The present war was brought about ov political economy in the past, and we must prevent such a happening •inHffie future.”

Cr. Hannan: “I quite agree that the majority of those who assist on the Committee do so principally out of a sense of duty. We hear leaders of all allied countries saying that there will be a new democratic order after the war. The Labour and National Parties are in favour of this, but the Communists have only one way of governing. That is mv onlv objection.

The Chairman: “The only country in the world under Comunism is the only one to offer serious resistance to our foe, Germany.” “It is the little brown fellow that I’m scared of,” said Cr. J. Mulcare. “I admire Cr. Hannan for tackling the question, and I don’t think vve should join the Committee, as I am very dubious as to any good effect, from it. ” The Chairman: “It is for the Council to say ” Cr. A. McDonnell: “I move thu letter be received and that no action be’ taken.” The motion was carried unanimously.