ANTI-WAR CONGRESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 11 August 1934, Page 2

ANTI-WAR CONGRESS

■ 11 —— (To the Editor)

Sir,— “Anti-League” seems to get very hot under his collar when we suggest that honest anti-war supporters are unwise to associate themselves with, the Communists in their protest against W *Your correspondent refers to the Soviet proposals at Geneva. W e will, for sake of argument, assume that they were genuine. They were turned down. What was the Soviet reply? Here is what Voroshilov told the Red Army: “We made a loud demonstration of willingness to disarm. Now we must increase our military strength in every direction.”

Great Britain lias since the war not only worked for disarmament, but actually reduced her forces below safety point. The other powers have not responded, so British leaders say we must bring our defence up to safety point. Such a declaration has produced howls from the Communists here, as making for war—but they made no such protest when Voroshilov announced exactly the same policy! This proves their utter insincerity and supports the policy which they are told to advocate, namely, to do all in their power to weaken the defence in every country —so that the glorious Red Army may be better able to support any revolutionary move. Another piece of evidence in support of our accusation that the Communists here (in obedience to orders from abroad) are not honest in their agitation against war. Tlie “Daih r Worker, ’ declaredly a Third International publication in England, recently condemned the Hendon Air Pageant as ‘'ll war re‘hearsal and the actual launching of a new criminal blood bath.” It calls for recruits to help in anti-war leaflet distribution amongst the troops. Tlie insincerity of this attitude is seen when we quote their record of a Red Army display in Moscow: “The customary military parade, carried out with a perfection oi discipline and enthusiasm, dumbfounded the expert eyes of foreign military attaches. Ih addition to 50,000 troops of the garrison magnificently equipped, splendid types of men, with tanks, armoured cars and all the modern instruments of mechanised warfare, there was a special turn out of armed factory workers and young workers, 25,000 from the Aviation and Chemical Defence, and over 100,000 Young Communists marched, with rifles on shoulder, with as steady and firm a step as the cream of the Red Army.” Hendon air display is pi-eparation for a blood bath. The parade at Moscow is “working for peace!” We say again to our workers for peace in New Zealand and the Empire, beware of these Red agents for Moscow—for association with them makes your whole movement suspect. Include in your demand for peace the reduction of the arms of other powers and not only of your own country, and finally give credit to your own people for their efforts and example to bring about reduction of armaments.

“Anti-League’s” studied discourtesy indicates an absurdly weak case. He can quote all the authorities he pleases but cannot remove the inconsistency of the Communists. New Zealand orders two or three planes. Mr Forbes has been accused of rushing us into war. Russia’s thousands of war ’planes is evidence of working for peace! “Anti-League” says anly one twentyseventh of those at the Anti-War Congress were Communist or connected with that movement. He is wrong; exactly three-quarters were connected with the Communist movement, to wit, 30 out of 40.—We are, etc.,

N,Z. WELFARE LEAGUE. Wellington, 10th Aug.