‘Must Keep Subversive Elements In Place’

Northern Advocate, 25 May 1949, Page 2

‘Must Keep Subversive Elements In Place’

AUCKLAND, Wed. (Spl).—“We know that in this country are people who would like to see the British Empire fall to pieces. We must see that these people are kept in their places and are not allowed to interfere,” said the Governor General (Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C.) at the Empire .Day dinner of the Auckland branch of the Royal Empire Society last night. “We in New Zealand are a kindly people, but we have a tough side,” His Excellency continued. “These subversive elements—most of them foreigners, a lot from outside these shores—are abusing our hospitality, and the time may come when we, will have to get tough with them.

ONLY TRUSTEES, “When that time comes, those who do not abide by any laws and who do not know where the belt is, should not themselves be treated under Marquis of Queensberry rules.” New Zealanders should remember that they were only trustees for their ’country,” said Sir Bernard. They were responsible for handing it on to their children.-

Sir Bernard said he agreed with judges of world affairs that the threat of Russia to the Western democraci.es was a blessing in disguise and that, although a danger spot had been reached, Western civilisation had twice in our lifetime countered several challenges of the same nature and overcome them.

“It can be argued with truth that we have picked a difficult time to live in, but, if we had not been challenged by Russia the Allies might have fallen out and quarrelled.”

NEGLECTED DUTY. The president of the branch (MajorGeneral H. E. Barrowclough) said New Zealanders had not had the stamina to see the battle through by fighting to a lasting peace. “Under Your Excellency’s inspiring leadership the Second New Zealand Division earned a reputation greatly praised and deserved, but we have been content to rely on that reputation,” he said. “We have not done our duty.

“We have sent two or three air crews to Britain, we have sent parcels, and recently we have sent a cricket team so. that Britain’s morale in defence of us will not fail. “At times I feel ashamed as a New Zealander.”