LEAFLETS IN DUNEDIN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 10 December 1940, Page 4

LEAFLETS IN DUNEDIN

NEW ZEALAND’S WAR POLICY CRITICISED [United Press Association] DUNEDIN, 9th December. Cyclostyle leaflets criticising the Government’s war policy and advocating different methods for the defence of New Zealand were distributed by hand over practically the whole city on Sunday night or early this morning. Many householders in north and south Dunedin, Kaikorai, Ravensbourne, and even Port Chalmers found the leaflets inside their front gates this morning, and, quite apart from the question whether the “literature" can be termed subversive or not, there is no doubt that the majority of the people who received the pamphlet resented the method used of forcing an organisation’s ideas on them. It is apparent from the widelyseparated areas reached by the persons responsible for the distribtuion, and the large number of leaflets so distributed, that the organisation is not small or impecunious. The fact that the work was carried out during the hours of darkness in practically every suburb of Dunedin indicates that a considerable number of persons was involved. The police took immediate action and, assisted by many people who took their leaflets to the central station, made a large collection during the day. The leaflet points out that by the time it is read the overseas ballot will have been published, and after setting out the reason for disagreement with New Zealand's war policy, urges that immediate steps should be taken to carry out the suggestions contained in the pamphlet. How some of these suggestions are to be put into operation is not explained. The concluding line, one which probably antagonised many people, urges the reader not to destroy the leaflet, but to pass it on to friends and workmates.