COMMUNISM AND WAR EFFORT COMMITTEE.

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1942, Page 8

COMMUNISM AND WAR EFFORT COMMITTEE.

(To the Editor). Si r _As “Lucio” maintains that my meaning is clear to him, n-.e., “Collaboration with Communism for the defeat of Fascism,” in a fight where New Zealand’s existence is at stake, I must reluctantly conclude that, because, according to him. Communism is “Suspect,” he woula jeopardise that existence, and the safety of New Zealand’s womanhood, bv refusing to co-operate with Communists in the furtherance of the nation’s war effort. In coming to tlrs conclusion, I also credit 1 Lucio with having no illusions regarding the treatment which will be accorded the women and girls of this country, should it be over-run by Japan. As I see it, the policy, past or present, of any party or organisation co-operating together in the war effort, has no bearing on tne question at all. Either we all support in the defence- of our country, using any and every means available, or we do not support it. Why object to some people who we know will be a help, because their political beliefs are different from our own? “Lucio” admits that we must “EXPLOIT” Russia’s involvement in the war, evidently by collaborating with them. Then why not carry it out in New Zealand, and “exploit the Communists by getting them to help in our War Effort? The “somersaulting” idea really cuts no ice, unless it happens that the change about doesn’t meet with the accuser’s approval. Ido not know of any political party .in New Zealand to-idav that has not done its best to get people to “somersault’ into its ranks. Of course it is then termed conversion. “Lucio” says: “In all countries where it (Communism) has been established by force, or by propaganda and intrigue, calamity has followed and desolation remains.” The only calamity in the Soviet Union at present is being experienced by the Nazis, due- to the morale of the Russian citizens. The only desolation in the Soviet Union is the result of the scorched earth policy pursued by the Russians with a noble purpose, or by the spoiling of the Nazi hordes actuated by sadism. , . , We should be pleased to think that the Communists are willing to put their shoulders to the wheel, instead of pulling the opposite way. While they were at variance with other people, they were- doggedly attacked for being so. Now, since they have shown their willingness to co-operate with anyone-interested in the war effort, the “Mr. Hannans’ ” and “Lucios’ ” seem displeased. I take it for granted that they would not prefer to see the Communists sabotaging and obstructing the war effort.

If “Lucio” and Cr. Hannan were in ia boat with a Communist, and the boat leaked and was sinking, but on the boat was a pump which could cope with the inflow of water, only if all three men pulled their weight on it, would they co-operate? The moral is there. New Zealand is in danger and must be defended at ALL COST. —I am, etc., T. ANDERSON.

[To the Editor] Sir, —I would like space to reply to a letter in the “Argus” by ProLucio. He says: “The majority of sane-minded citizens are in • agreement with .Mr Hannan, but are frightened to say ’so.’* Surely to goodness if a person is so sure of his subject as Pro-Lucio infers, they would not be frightened to come in to print and sign their names. I would suggest to Pro-Lucio that he lets you print his name, so as these sane-minded citizens he mentions could show him their gratitude. I presume he means the people who disagree with Mr Hannan are not 100 per cent, in the head. Well* 1 think there is reason to question this insinuation, as Mr Anderson is President of the Runanga Democratic Labour Party, Mr Mitchell holds a good deal of respect as a member of the State Miners’ Union, and was democratically elected to the Executive of the War Effort Committee; Mr Mcßae, who had a letter in Tuesday’s paper, is President of the Wallsend Miners’ Union; and Mr Scott is a well-known and respected member of the Greymouth Labour Party Are we to believe the citizens who elected these men to their respective positions are hot 'saneminded ? Surely a slur on a large body of this community. Now, how about Pro-Lucio’s .name, and then we can see how’ his mentality compares with these men. Pro-Lucio quotes Lucio that Communism has nothing to do with the wonderful fight the .Soviet people are putting up. I beg to differ. It was the magnificent leadership of the Communist Party that brought the Russian people through twenty-five troubled years from nothing to one of the leading Powers in the world, and under the same leadership, they have proved to the world they have something worth dying for, by showing us wffiat total war means, and I defy Pro-Lucio to show me that anj Capitalist country has given the same leadership! Pro-Lucio refers to an alien cult. Again shows his political ignorance, as I thmk any sensible person realises that Com-

munism isn’t just something belonging to the Russians, but embraces every country in the world, where man realises that man should not be exploited by man. In conclusion, Pro-Lucio says thgt the people of Greymouth should wake up to the fact that they have in their midst a section of Extreme Leftists who look to the Kremlin instead of Whitehall. Well, I would like to draw Pro-Lucio’s attention to the fact that you don’t have to be an extreme Leftist to do this, as, if he moved about at all, he would probably be alarmed at how the average man in the street is to-day looking to the Kremlin for a lead, for it is natural to look to the strongest of leaders, whether they be in 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, or in the Kremlin. I am etc., M. A. SHELDON. (This correspondence is now closed. —Ed.)