FRIENDS OF RUSSIA.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18927, 22 April 1933, Page 7

FRIENDS OF RUSSIA.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —For many months Major Pharazyn and his wife have been lecturing throughout New Zealand on Russia and the Five Year Plan. Some time ago Hamilton was visited, and It was decided to form a branch of the Friends of the Soviet Union. About the same time, or perhaps prior to this local meeting, it was reported that the Roman Catholics of Great Britain had been warned by their Church not to support Russia because of its anti-Christian proclamations, etc. Major Pharazyn and a few others have Informed us that the Five Year Plan has been a success and Russia deserves the support of every nation. The Moscow trials must have far-reaching effect, and It is interesting to learn that these were caused by the failure of the Five Year Plan. Leading Continental and English dailies express this view, and we can definitely accept contradiction of Major Pharazyn’s statements. In Hamilton, as elsewhere, we have those who acclaim British justice, yet condemn everything British, who advocate that every man in a job should be taxed heavily to secure the funds necessary to provide for those not too fond of work (and who in turn would pass this hard-earned cash of their comrades on to Russia and Germany), who condemn all business men and capitalists, as they call them, ahd yet accept donations of cash and kind from these capitalists in order to keep body and soul together. It would be interesting to know whether the Friends of the Soviet Union still remain loyal to their pledges, and, if so, why? In view of the recent happenings, the wholesale condemnation of Russia by the Press and the action of the British Labour Government as a sequel, it is hard to conceive of anyone who can show legitimate reasons for the existence of a body known as the Friends of the Soviet Union. The Labour Government in Australia banned the Communistic Party, and .we should act similarly if we have any serious desire for peace and prosperity.—l am, etc., CITIZEN. Hamilton, April 20, 1933.