DEMOCRACY AND COMMUNISM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26748, 17 April 1948, Page 9

DEMOCRACY AND COMMUNISM

Sir, —There seems to be a lack of understanding bv some correspondents as to ■just how great a menace Communism reallv is A Communist is one who aspires to a so-called classless society where wealth is taken from hundreds of capitalists and placed into the hands of the worst capitalist of them all—the Government. So, whereas the Communist purports to end capitalism he really creates a system of capitalism in its worst form. No one can deny that Russia is the worst example of muddling capitalistic Government to-day. A Communist is one who is a so-called opponent of imperialism. yet Russia is the worst offender to-dav. To ban Communists would be futile'; it would only drive them underpin* every case where Communists rule power has been obtained by force. Never have the Communists been elected by tne people on a majortiy vote. In some cases thev have apparently been returned by the electors, but subsequent inquiries have revealed more votes cast than tne number entitled to vote. In other ‘ elections the voters have been threatened with reprisals if they do not vote the Communists in, and again in other cases the Communists have got control by having the Red Army in support. Russia has threatened to cut off all aid, such as it is, so rather than starve the people nave voted Communism. Having assumed control, the Communists set about removing all organised opposition. Trade unions receive a silly shock when they are disbanded Henceforth the individual will cease to be. he becomes a mere cog; his free will is destroyed. A system of re-education is introduced where the people are told religion is all lies. Henceforth all will woiship Lenin as their only God. Moral codes are abandoned, marriage is regarded solely as satisfying a biological urge Learned teachers. non-Commuruat are replaced by men incompetent but who will teach according to party beliefs. Is it any wonder that after 30 years of Communism and despite all " five-year purges,” Russia has become the most illiterate country in Europe? All radios in Russia are really only loud speakers linked with Moscow and broadcast only what Mr Stalin and Co. allow. It is not so puzzling then that Red soidiers act only as a gang of thugs. Nor is it any wonder that the people suppressed by Communist rule cry out in vain: “O Liberty, how many crimes are committed in thy name ”!—I arn, etc., Ace of Hearts. [Abridged. Letters under this heading must be shorter. —Ed. O.D.T.] Sir.—The Minister of Works, Mr Semple, is reported as describing Communism as public enemy number one. I remember when Mr Semple used to describe capitalism. vested interests, toryism. c<mservatism, etc., as enemies of the working the circumstances changed or has Mr Semple?—l am, etc.. E. W. Hunter. Sir,—When ” Miner ” says, " To-day in New Zealand the immediate menace is • Matildaism ' ” he is being grossly unfai: to Mr Semple and other prominent Ministers of the Crown, who are busy carrying out an elaborate anti-Communist crusade throughout the country. In any event recent happenings in Bogota make it impossible for our local Communists tc deny the truth that the enemies of civilisation to-day are not the Germans but the Communists. All the well-mean-ing efforts which have beeh made to reach an understanding with the Soviet Union have been deliberately torpedoed by the Russian Communist leaders, and the only way left to avoid war will be to show the Soviet rulers that the free peoples of the world do not countenance crime, and that they are ready if necessary to use force to preserve a way of life which they believe to be capable of giving them the peace, happiness and prosperity that would be denied them under the iron rule of Communism. If we wish to retain our freedom and British way of life in New Zealand we have got to fight the Communists, not bury our heads in the sand and cry that these things could not happen here.—l am, etc., Matilda.