COMMUNIST PROPAGANDA.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1929, Page 8

COMMUNIST PROPAGANDA.

On the surface nothing could be more dignified and appropriate than the formal Notes exchanged between Great Britain and Russia in regard to Communist propaganda. The Soviet has and has added to its written pwugv «... offer to give a similar promise to any British Dominion so soon as relations between the Dominion and Russia shall have been regularised. Tho Dominions, in common with Great Britain, ceased official intercourse with the Soviet largely on account of the efforts of the latter to provoke disturbances by the spread of Communist theories and practices. It is an open secret that in Australia the spread of Communism has been sufficient to cause grave apprehension on the part- of sane Labour leaders, •to say nothing of the average citizen. In i this country it has been deemed desirable to have special legislation to ar- ! rest wherever possible . the distribution I of Communistic literature and teachings, j Whether the Dominions will feci able j to follow the lead of the Imperial Gov- • eminent and accept the assurances of j tho Soviet is for each of them to decide. ,iSo far the Ministry here has given no : indication of its views in regard to the j resumption of formal relations with Rusi sia. it may be that it is awaiting advice from the newly appointed High Commissioner (Hon. T. M. Wilford), ; who will be aware of the Cabinet’s opinions, and should be able to advise with promptitude whether there are sound reasons for postponing action in New Zealand similar to that adopted in Great Britain. There is considerable conflict of opinion in the United Kingdom in regard to tho resumption of official relations with the Soviet, which has itself to thank for the mistrust it has created, ! and it may prove eminently a case in j which New Zealand will be wise to make haste slowly.