The Hawera Star. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1924. LABOUR AND COMMUNISM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 5 September 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1924. LABOUR AND COMMUNISM.

Delivered every evening Dy & o’clock in Hawera, Manaia. Normanby Okaiawa, Eltham, Pateti, Waverley, Mokoia, Whak&mara, Oiiangai, Meremere. Fraser Road, and Otakeuo Manutahi, Alton, Harleyville, Mangatcki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake,

The cabled reports of the great Trade Union Congress at Hull indicate, that there is much diversity of opinion in the congress and that the Communist element has been trying hard to secure control, but has been defeated. There is, of course, a wide difference between the Communists and the true Labour Party, as anyone can see who reads the speeches of Labour men in England and those who follow the Communist proposals. In New Zealand there are said to be a number of Communists who are far more extreme, Labour men have told us, than the New Zealand Labour Party, but when we read some of the proposals of the Communists in England they sound very similar to statements made by leaders of the New Zealand Labour Party, and one wonders if that party’s name is really correct. Here is an extract from a. recent manifesto which sets out frankly the strategy of the Communists in England: “Any organisation which wishes to

rally the working masses around a working-class leadership and programme must begin first and foremost by developing their classconsciousness, always taking account of different and varying stages of development.

“This process will involve approaching the trade union rank and

file with practical solutions for their own special problems before l they can begin to comprehend the need for attempting the solution of problems lying outside their immediate points of view If they become convinced in the field of action that such an organisation understands their needs tlieytheii will be ready to listen to its theories. It may be that this process will necessitate, for the time being, that the organisation in question does not insist on pressing its full programme m this sphere of activity. But this is a price worth paying in return for gaming the ear of the masses.” If we turn to the New Zealand Labour Party we find that its leaders have for years been urging the developing of “class-consciousness” among the workers, and the second and third paragraphs of the extract from the English Communist manifesto read very much like what one would expect from the New Zealand Alliance of Labour. In the past New Zealand Labour Party leaders have often referred to an industrial revolution, and one could quote statements by the leaders expressing the opinion that in that revolution there would be violence and bloodshed." The president of the English Communist party said recently: “If the working classes were determined to get into the saddle themselves, they must be prepared even for the use of violence.” It seems to us that there is a wide difference between the British Labour Party and the New Zealand Labour Party, the latter, judging by the statements of its leaders, being practically identical with the English. Communists. Since Mr.' MacDonald took office and has, with his Ministers, avoided introducing measures of an extreme type such as would lead to the “nationalisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange,” the Communists have referred to the Labour leaders as the “teaeherous middle-class leadership” and to Mr. MacDonald as a “traitor.” Said one spokesman at the Communist Congress: “The Labour Party will have to be fought one day,” Said another: “We understand the Labour Party and all its treacherous motives and possibilities. Our job is to get inside and upset their leadership:” The plan of the Communists in the political field was thus defined:

“The Communist Party considers it its duty to enter into the ranks of the Labour Party in order to strengthen the militant and fighting elements of the Labour movement, and to' unmask the treacherous elements in the Labour Party and free the workers from N their influence. The Communist Party does not aim at the united front with MacDonald, Snowden and Thomas, but at the organisation of the mass front of the workers. It enters Parliament not in order to delude the workers that they can achieve emancipation by its means, but ,to' use Parliament as a tribune whence to issue ral’lving calls and watchwords to the masses. The Congress therefore reaffirms, the' decision of the Communist Party to apply for affiliation to the Labour Party.” As is well-known, great vigilance and care, is being taken by the Labour laity in Britain to. keep Communists out of the movement, and their affiliation has been definitely refused. Are steps being taken in New Zealand to keep Communists out of the Labour Party ? Or is it not nearer the 1 truth to. say that the New Zealand Labour Party numbers among its leaders some Communists who are rseeking constantly to arouse workers Ito “class consciousness” and by doing all they can to bring about the affiliation of unions and associations with the Alliance of Labour to get control of the country? Trade unionists and all who are members of the New Zealand Labour Party are entitled to know what the party really stands lor, and we think that they will b; wise to investigate the matter very carefully. Is it really the New Zealand Labour Party, or is it really the Communist Party? Mr. Atmore's speech in the House a few days ago gives an insight into what seem to be the real aims of the movement, and if his statements are correct, and we nave not seen that they have been satisfactorily answered, we think that people can fairly say that the movement is not Labour at all, but Communism of a. very dangerous character, the more dangerous because the great majority of the rank and file are really followers of Labour, hut are being blinded by cunning Communist leaders, who are the greatest enemies of true Labour. If what we have written is correct, the people who are really Labour supporters should follow the lead of the Labour people in F-UGcland and rid the movement of the Communists.