A THIRD FORCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26709, 2 March 1948, Page 5

A THIRD FORCE

INTERNATIONAL OF DEMOCRACY OPPOSITION TO COMMUNISM MANY REFORMS URGED N.Z.P.A.—Reuter— Copyright LONDON, Feb. 29. A report of the International Committee to study European -questions says that if democracy is to survive, a third force—an International of Democracy—must be established, preferably with London headquarters, to oppose the Third International of Communism.

Among the prominent persons of various countries who have signed the report are Lord Brabazon, Lord Vansittart, Professor Oliphant, and Air Vice Marshal Bennett. ... . The committee says that such a third force would apply the democratic principles which the Magna Carta and the American and French Revolutions established. All efforts must be made to establish a Federation of European Nations, but steps must be taken now to establish gradually a Federation of Western European countries, through, first, a customs union and later an economic union, and secondly by a • federation of nations. _____ To defend democracy did not mean attacking Russia. On the contrary; Russia would one .day accept democracy and must be ehcouraged to do so. Thp committee urges reforms among the democracies, including a selection of prominent personalities, more often from outside Parliament, to occupy Government posts as in the United States to ensure that “ the true elite shall be at the nation’s head. _ The Communist Parties in Great Britain and Western Europe were committed to a calculated policy of sabotage said the Minister of State. Mr Hector McNeill, speaking at Greenock The Communists aimed at chao. and misery because only then could they hope to impose their wills upon the social democratic people of Secretary of War. Mr Emanuel Shinwell, sneaking at Ilford, said tha if Britain failed to promote European recovery there would certainly be another phase of totalitarianism which could lead only to a disastrous war