“THE LABOUR PARTY’S DUPLICITY”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22958, 13 August 1936, Page 16

“THE LABOUR PARTY’S DUPLICITY”

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—“ Straight Deal ” need not worry. Everything is going all right. It is certainly correct that the methods adopted by the Labour Party are precisely those adopted by Hitler and Mussolini —increased dictatorial power of Ministers, neglect of defence of the nation, abolition of measures against disruptive forces within society, direct control of broadcasting, making of capital worthless by taxation with a view to nationalisation of the means of production, driving all members of the community into unions. They are to be forced by unions to which they do not wish to belong to subscribe to a party they do not approve of. These are the methods employed alike by Soviet and Fascist dictatorships. It is all very bad in the case of Fascists, because their aim is bad. _ It is the aim and efficacy of an action that renders it good or bad. When these things are done to promote a Soviet revolution they are good. But “Straight Deal” may rest in comfort. Certainly, it is true this Government is not revolutionary, but it is serving the purposes of the revolutionaries, of the Communists. Even Mr Semple, by bullying methods used at Motueka, is training New Zealand in, and preparing it for, the rule of the Soviet. All that is necessary to secure the result that “ Straight Deal ” wants is for the Communists to arrange for devoted members of their party to be in occupation of key positions in the public service and other unions. With that achieved the Communist Party, though a small minority, can precipitate the crisis, and by constitutional means introduce its dictatorship. . It is not the duplicity, but the simplicity of the Labour Party that is making things all right for the extreme left wing.—l am.fttc., Comrade No. 1.