NO COMMUNIST CANDIDATES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 83, 22 June 1943, Page 4

NO COMMUNIST CANDIDATES

Sir,~Tn your interesting article entitled Forthcoming General Elections you were, not correct in one particular. You stated, . . we can expect candidates from the Communist Organisation." This is not so. The Communist Party regards the decisions to hold General Elections this year as being contrary to the best interests of the. people of New Zealand. Our great task to-day is the defeat of Hitler German}' and its allies, and this task will not be furthered by the holding of parliamentary elections. The focal point in the. anti-Fascist war, is not the struggle of rival parliamentary candidates, but the organisation of men and women in the lighting services, the construction of an efficient war economy, and the mobilisation of the whole people in the. struggle for victory. YYhile opposed to the holding of General Elections as a waste of time which could Ije better spent, the Communist Party will, in the event of an election support the party and tlie Government which is best able to mobilise the resources and people l of New Zealand, in the. crisis which faces them. The Communist Party recognises the weaknesses, of the present Government., but believes that it provides the only basis for a real national front against Fascism. It theicfoie calls upon all workers, farmers, professional and business people, together with all who desire to see a speedy Allied victory to. rally behind the present. Government and return it strengthened, qualitatively and quantitatively, should General Elections be held this year. The Communist Party would- like to see the following put into effect. 1. The strengthening of the Armed Forces. I he. building of a war economy which will enable us to increase our economic Avar effort and maintain civilian standards or living. 3. The control of prices and extended rationing so that stabilisation will really work. \ 4. The building of Production Committees and workers' representation on important Government committees. 5. The buikling of workers' unity with the farmers, the town middle classes, and all who, irrespective of political affiliations, are willing to eo.ope.rato in the anti-Fascist struggle. The creation for the pre-requisitcs for an immediate and successful Second Front in Europe, and. a stronger offensive in the Pacific.

Yours etc., Secretariat. Edgecumbe Branch. Communist Party of New Zealand.