RSA AND COMMUNISM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27025, 9 March 1949, Page 6

RSA AND COMMUNISM

Sir,—Though one becomes inured to misrepresentation and abuse it is necessary to protest emphatically against the statement of Mr D. L. Wood to the effect that Communism is based on allegiance to a foregin power. For, in that case, what would Russian Communism be based on? Communism is based on an understanding and hatred of exploitation, with all the oppression and human degradation it generates. A few days ago we heard a list of basic human rights, including freedom of speech and freedom of religion. The Communist considers the basic human rights are food, clothing, shelter and education. It has been trulv said that man must eat before he can philosophise. For years I have been puzzled by the word totalitarian, a word with one root and a long line of meaningless suffixes. The nearest approach to it I have found in any dictionary is the word totalisator.—l am, etc., H. Gow.

Balclutha, March 3. [ln the addenda to the 1829 edition of the Concise Oxford Dictionary totalitarian is defined as “ relating to a polity that permits no rival loyalties or parties. Totalitarian State (with only one, and governing, party).”—Ed. ODT.]