SPREAD OF COMMUNISM

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1933, Page 16

SPREAD OF COMMUNISM

DEVELOPMENT IN MELBOURNE.

POLICE HEAD’S WARNING.

The action of a Melbourne city councillor in moving at a meeting of the council last week, says the Argus, that a special committee be appointed to inqinro into the ramifications of Communism in the council’s staffs was referred to by the chief commissioner of police (Major-General ’T. A. Blarney). The commissioner said that the action might well be commended: to the managers of large businesses and public organisations. It was regrettable that Communists, who were, preaching the use of violence in the overthrow of the social system, should have the benefits of constant employment while so many honest men were walking the streets looking for work. “It would be giving a wrong impression to say that Communism is a menace in Victoria to-day,” continued' MajorGeneral Blarney, “but the movement is working toward that point. Three years ago the movement was a joke. To-day it is a strongly organised movement steadily spreading propaganda advocating methods of violence. Nearly 50 propagandist ‘newspapers’ are being produced in large factories and public organisations, including the tramways, railways and other forms of transport. The guiding spirit of the movement comes from Sydney, whence every fresh move emanates. The most active workers come from there. Although we have no proof, there is little doubt that there is a link with the Soviet. Communism is making ground: its membership increased by about 100 per cent, last year.” From another source it was learned that the enrolled members of the Communist movement, apart from sympathisers, increased from about 780 to 1500 last year. Major-General Blarney has in his possession very abusive pamphlets which were distributed, to' employees of the city council.