Is Communist Coup Possible?

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 30, 16 March 1948, Page 5

Is Communist Coup Possible?

Correspondent Thinks It Could Happen Here A statement that in New Zealand the number of avowed Communists is fully as great, proportionate to the population, as is the case in all the Eastern European States that have fallen under Communist control is made by a corresondent who signs himself "Alarmed," and warns "it can happen here." Here is his letter:

Reports from Czechoslovakia state that "newspapers not representing the Government have been closed or put -'under new management—schools and Universities are being similarly purged. Employers have been empowered to dismiss workers opposing the Government." In Czechoslovakia, as in all other lands where a Communist coup has prevailed, it is a small minority that has seized power and established a Police State. In New Zealand the number of avowed Communists is fully as great, proportionate to the population, as is the case in all the Eastern European States that have fallen. We have a week-kneed Government that condemns the Communists by words and encourages them by lack of firm and decisive action. The Communists, thus encouraged, receive further support by an apathetic rank and file in the Trade Unions. Mr Hanlon, the Labour Premier of Queensland, stated on March 1, "The Communist policy is purely destructive and aims at the creation of disorder. The Communists firmly believe that if they can create sufficient disorder in the community, a frustrated and disheartened people will accept them." What has happened in other countries can happen here and the Communists have both the means and the will'to seize power.