WAR EFFORT COMMITTEE.

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1942, Page 1

WAR EFFORT COMMITTEE.

To the Editor: Sir—The mous correspondent has arrivedanti-, croups follow their usual tactiu of trying to befog the issue. Lucio would now “stress, however, that Russia’s effort is not a Communist effort.’’ This statement m on ai par with the wisdom expressed by Dar«. Rosaleen” in April, 1939, when attacking “The Magazine Page and the Left Book Club. Some of the gems of wisdom handed down at that time were as follows— “These people wouid now push ua into the-arms of Soviet Russia, heedless of the xaei Japan would certainly be against us. a step that would bring disaster ano terrible danger to our Southern Dominions.” Another gem from the same letter. “But the supporters of the Soviet are now howling with furv at Franco’s victory, and are putting forward Russia as the Saviour of democracy. God helps democracy if we are depending on her. Still' another: “Let me conclude by saying that vour suggestion or implication that New Zealanders can whole heartedly enter the war to “destroy Fascism” with the assistance of the Russian Red Army sounds to me like a message from Bedlam, or our democracy has taken off the brake and would rush down hill at breakneck speed to the bottom of the precipice to join the shambles of ■slavery of Sovietism.” Those extracts are taken from one letter only. There were others by “Veritas,” “Cave Viraginem,” “Pierian Spring,” and all showed a similar ignorance of the trend of world events. They are very interesting reading to-day and show clearly where the anti-group stand. But to return to “Lucio” who asks:— “Let us get things straight, and put things in their .proper perspective camly and without hysterial invective.” This is a splendid idea. Anyone who knows anything about Russia, knows that youths and maidens, men and women, are all taught t.o shoot with army rifles. That Lenin told his people they would never be safe if they ever laid down their arms. That military service is compulsory for every fit male. That one of the most important things in their training is “political education.” i lf this can mean anything other than a me J. through understanding of Communist philosophy, then I confess I do not know the meaning of political education as it is understood in the Soviet Union. Yet “Lucio” would have us believe that the people of Russia are not putting forth a Communist effort. This will, I think show readers what .little faith can be placed in anything emenating from this little group of anonymous writers. I am etc., J. SCOTT, Greymouth.