Mr. Semple Replies To Communist Visitor

Wanganui Chronicle, 26 May 1948, Page 6

Mr. Semple Replies To Communist Visitor

(P.A.) Wellington, May 25. “I believe Mr. Jones will discover he was never more seriously in error if he thinks Communist excesses will be tolerated in this land,” declared Mr. Semple today, replying to remarks made at the week-end by Mr. Claude Jones, president of the Queensland Communist Party. Mr. Semple said that for the second time within a year New Zealand had the dubious pleasure of the presence of a visitor who seemed to think he was entitled to tell New Zealanders what to do and what fate lay in store for political leaders who displeased him and his organisation. Last year's visitor was Mr. Eliot V. Elliott, secretary of the Australian Seamen's Union, and also a Communist.

Mr. Semple said Mr. Jones had done a service, for wjfich the ordinary run of CommunistS;Avould not thank him, by tearing the ’mask away from the Communist physiognomy. His reference to “very severe steps” which would be taken against opponents oi Communism when Communism was established in Australia and New Zealand could have only one interpretation—that he ad\|icated terrorism.

“I consider that he promises a Czechoslovakia in New Zealand and Australia, but Mr. Jones can know very little of the temper of real Australians and New Zealanders if he thinks they will submit to the Communist noose, firing squad and concentration camp.” What Mr. Jones had said vindicated Mr. Semple’s action in publishing a booklet exposing the Communist conspiracy. The first 10,000 copies were sold in a day or so and another 10,000 would now be printed.