Communism Menace Debated At Chamber Of Commerce

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 November 1948, Page 6

Communism Menace Debated At Chamber Of Commerce

“Communism is the enemy of democracy and it is vicious in its objective,” said Mr. S. J. Sullivan at last night’s meeting of the executive of rhe Wanganui Chamber of Commerce. He said the dangers of Communism had been referred to at a recent meeting of the Associated Chambers held in Wellington. Mr. Sullivan said the aim of those who held the beliefs of Communism was to smash the democratic system under which people are free to think and speak for themselves. To achieve their objective they baulked at nothing, added the speaker. They engaged in subversive activities and tried to hamper the progress of any country. He said the threat of Communism haunted many parts of Europe today. “Is there anything we as a body can do about it?” asked the president, Mr. N. M. Izard-

Mr. C. D. Corliss: It should be made an illegal organisation. See what is happening in France. “The apathy of the people about the matter is alarming,” said Mr. Sullivan. He cited the case in Wellington where the Communist Party was granted a licence for three gallons of petrol. It was not the amount of petrol but the principle involved that was causing concern, added Mr. Sullivan.

Mr. C- P. Brown said there was too big a tendency of running to the State for assistance today. This, he contended, was a dangerous tendency. Mr. S. R. McCallum said Communists were wejl organised, whereas the people they represented had no organisation at all. Thio, said Mr. McCallum, was a weakness. It was decided to forward a protest* against the Communist Party being granted a recent licence for petrol.