MR SEMPLE’S BOOK TO GIVE FACTS OF COMMUNISM

Grey River Argus, 23 April 1948, Page 8

MR SEMPLE’S BOOK TO GIVE FACTS OF COMMUNISM

WELLINGTON, April 22.

A book exposing the origins tactic.-, propaganda and intentions of 'Communism is being prepared by the Minister of Works. Hon. R. Semple, and it will shortly be placed in the hands of the printers. Mr Semple said to-dav that the publication would carry the campaign against Communism further and his purpose was to make available to the people the facts of what he regarded as an international conspiracy, so that thev would best know how to combat the menace in New Zealand. ? The Minister said to-dav that his recent tour of the South Island nact convinced him that New Zealand workers were opnosed to Communism, in which thev have no confidence, and he was. satisfied that ail responsible elements in New Zealand would strongly support efforts to eliminate trouble-makers from positions where they could do harm to the nation. MORE INTEREST THAN IN THE ELECTIONS r - f “Hundreds of , people could not gain admission to my meetings, in Christchurch and Dunedin,” said Mr Semple. “Interest in this very grave question was greater than in an election meeting. There is no douot where the real feelings of the real people of this country lie, when tne issue of Communism is fairly and accurately presented.”

He regarded the enthusiasm shown by the workers at the Tekapo and Pukaki hydroelectric schemesi. when the facts were put before them, as especially significant of the true attitude of New Zealand workers.

However, it. was clear that a good many peonle had no means of finding out the facts about Communism conveniently, and conseouently they could not realise that it was a conspiracy to promote civil war in all countries, with the object of imposing a world dictatorship. CONSPIRACY FACTS The facts about a conspiracy came from Communist writings, in New Zealand and overseas, and they were irrefutable. He considered that an important service would be given by informing the neoole of the position. “The Communists mean to replace the ballot with the bullet everywhere.” continued the Minisiter. Thev already done so in many countries. New Zealand ’ is not exempt’from the clot.

‘‘l have assembled amnle evidence to substantiate this. Democracy in New Zealand, and throughout the British Commonwealth of nations, is now at the cross roads. I say that it is being challenged bv the spies and pimps of foreigners.” Mr-Semple said that his new book would devote an important amount of space to revealing, from Communist sources, the conspiratorial nature of Communism at work, in the trade Union Movement., and it would disclose thp system of esnnionage among workers, which would undoubtedly be regarded a,s repugnant to all decent New Zealanders.