FIRST COPIES READY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26774, 18 May 1948, Page 6

FIRST COPIES READY

Mr Semple’s Anti-communist \ Booklet CHARACTERISTIC DENUNCIATION I j . Special Correspondent. 1 WELLINGTON, May 17. The first copies of “Why I Fight Communism,” a 10,000-word pamphlet by the Minister of Works, Mr Semple, were issued to-night. 411 the vigour of Mr Semple’s oratory is translated into the printed word. In his denunciation of Communism and Communists within and beyond New Zealand, his arguments follow a pattern similar to that of his speeches given on a recent Dominion tour. '

•■“Many of my friends ask me why T fight Communism —why at my time oif life I should undertake a strenuous tour and the writing of this booklet in an anti-Communist campaign,” says Mr Semple. “My short answer is that I love my country and that I fear for the freedom and liberty of the peoples privileged to enjoy the Elritish way of life. ’ “In Communism I see a dangerous enemy sworn to destroy the very things which we cherish, willing to wreck our country and the • British Commonwealth of Nations ■in pursuit of its avowed aim of • establishing a world-dictatorship 'of the proletariat. I see it as a ■sacred duty to fight this thing. To ; stand by, while it pursues its evil, •.insidious way would he a betrayal (not only of my principles but of 'the trust which the people of New Zealand (have reposed m me over a long period.” The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in a foreword, says Mr Semple returned from Australia, where the Queensland Labour Government and the people of the State as a whole were fighting against a Communist-inspired and " directed industrial strike .whic.i threatened its economic existence, determined as far as he could to prevent the same evil taking shape in New Zealand and that he has since entered on his mission with the spirit of a Crusader. . •Mr Fraser says the case against Communism stated by Mr Semple is the most conclusive brought before the people of New Zealand. “He does not denounce or even adversely criticise Russia or its Soviet system,” says Mr Fraser. “He says that their form of government and social system is a matter for the Russian people. He wishes them well, but he does point out very definitely the dangers of the Russian-based, dominated and directed Communism which has become a men- ' ace to democratic civilisation.” Mr Semple at the outset of his pamphlet declares the Communists and their fellow travellers to be the tools of a foreign Power,and their aim to be the conquest of democracy. He says that Communists do not belong to a legitimate political party and that if they are regarded as a party they should be called the Russian Party.

He discusses in detail the “ Trojan horse ” tactics of the Communists within democratic countries and quotes the policy of the Communists in seeking an alliance with the Labour Party and infiltration into trade unions. He quotes freely from publications and’ statements by Communists to support his argument. He calls upon every New Zealander to- fight Communism. “It is oniy common sense to look to our security arid to deprive the traitors within our gates of their opportunities to bring use under' tryanny,” says Mr Semple “I believe that this problem is a question of life and death. I am utterly opposed to any suggestions that the question is exaggerated. War is being waged against us.”