A REPLY TO THE COMMUNIST PARTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22879, 13 May 1936, Page 6

A REPLY TO THE COMMUNIST PARTY

TO TTIE EDITOR. Sir,—First of all I would like to thank the Communist Party for telling the people of this city that I am not connected with the party, because if 1 had said so the people would not have believed me, and it is juflt as \ ell that they should know on some authority where one stands. In thus cultured age of ours, with all the facilities people have for learning, it is really amazing how stupid they are. Let us analyse the party's objectives. First, when a chairman violates the standing orders, is it in the best interest of aif organisation to sit tight and let him get away with it? . As a matter of fact every Communist at the meeting supported my resolution of protest against Mr Silverstones conduct, and voted for it. They also supported the amendment about the oew rates of pay. Is it just another stupid decision they have arrived at, or is there some reason for their change of front.' I think it isj'ust stupidness. In my opinion they could not come to a reasonable decision if they tried. • . Mr Silverstonc cannot defend himself against the charge, and, of course, they have found it necessary to step into the breach. To bo quite fair to Mr bilverstone I am going to say that if ho is not clever enough to defend himseh, 1 am very much inclined to think that «hey cannot do it for him, and that their stepping in only makes the position worse. The Communist Party some time ago proposed a resolution in the Unemployed Workers' Movement and had it carried, protesting against the continued imprisonment of Ernest Thaelmann. Now it is not a verv far distance along the road from where Mr Silverstonc stands to-day, to the >day when we will have Ernest Thaclmanu's in New Zealaud, if his conduct is allowed to be continued. Why do the Governments fight against Horr Hitler? Because they do not want a dictatorship from the right. lam opposed to any dictatorship—it does not matter where it comes from—that is not prepared to give common justice to all the people, irrespective of creed, race, or colour. . . . When a man lets you down in little things he will, if ever placed in power. let you down in big things. In conclusion, I am going to give you one decision the local Communists came to, just to let the people who read this paper know what their judgment is worth on anything. The Unemployed Workers Movement had a women's branch. Two prominent Communists went to the meetand told the women they should disband. This was also a decision of the party. I pleaded with them not to break up their organisation, but without avail. The night they carried the resolution to disband 74 women were present. Three now attend the meetings of the Tj.W.M. I could go on all night quoting the stupid decisions they have made, but in the meantime I shall let the people judge who is right and who is wrong. Seeing I have no axe to grind, there is on reason for me to carry on like a worm, especially when there are so many of them about. I shall deal more fully with the local Communist Party and its decisions on Friday night, when its members can come along and defend themselves.—l am, etc., George S. Geudes.