Communists

Northern Advocate, 30 July 1949, Page 3

Communists

“I have never seen a more furious crowd of men in my life,” said the second Whangarei delegate to the conference (Mr D. B._ Haigh), commenting on the reaction of the returned men to being addressed by two Communists. The principal speaker was Mr Wilcox who was given the opportunity of giving reason why Communists should not be expelled from the RSA. An undertaking was given to hear the men in complete silence and allow them to leave the conference before the shooting started. This undertaking was honouredsuch is democracy which these men

propose to tear down—and then the uproar commenced. Sir Howard adjourned the meeting for lunch to allow the pressure to ease, but after lunch, delegates worked themselves into a fury again, so it was left to the legal experts to tone down the men’s reaction of “expel, shoot or drown” to a resolution which would be constitutional. It was finally left to individual associations to expel any members whose actions are defamatory to the association or disloyal to the Crown. At least the two Reds were forced to show their hands on the loyalty question. They said they could sweatallegiance to the King.