FRONTIERSMEN’S DOMINION CONFERENCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 96, 8 June 1949, Page 5

FRONTIERSMEN’S DOMINION CONFERENCE

What must be a matter of grave concern to members is the troubled state of the world today, and the threats that are apparent, not only to our way of life, hut to our very existence. By taking a pessimistic view, it could he asserted that we are living in the “twilight of civilisation.” This is the aftermath of six years of devastating warfare, during which the “dark forces” plotted and planned unceasingly for world domination. Their agents have permeated every walk of life until the position has been reached when one may look askance at his best friend, so widely have the seeds of distrust been sown, wrote the Commandant, Col J. C. Findlater, Levin, in the annual report presented on behalf of the New Zealand Headquarters.

“And yet, the report went on, “we are prone to be complacent, in spite of the threat to our freedom. We have seen a weakening of the ties tllat bind the Empire—although some of our leaders maintain that they have been strengthened; time alone will tell. Happenings in China can only be viewed with grave misgivings; the bridge from that country down to this outpost is not a long one, as has already, been proved. Events in Malaya, too, can only be viewed as portion of a pre-ar-ranged plan. Truly, there are no grounds for complacency. Our safety and liberty, and that of our descendants can only be assured by constant vigilance, sacrifice and preparedness, with emphasis on the latter.

“A strong Legion, standing foursquare for the rights and liberties of the people as a whole, can do much. Let us remember the thousands of our members who laid down their lives in freedom’s cause, and resolve that their sacrifice has not been in vain.” Loyalty The Keynote

First reference to the “red menace” at the Conference was made by the Mayor of Whakatane, Mr B. S. Barry, in his official welcome to delegates.

Discussing loyalty, which is the keynote of the Legion’s ideals of service, Mr Barry said he understood that to mean loyalty to one’s comrades, squadron, country, Em- ' pire and King. It did not matter at which end of the list one started, each naturally followed the others. And, in his opinion, ideals of loyalty were more than ever needed today. There was growing up, he said, a movement which was more than political—an ideology that held allegiance to a country other than our own. It was out to destroy democracy, the Empire, and all they held dear. *'A Funny Thing” “It’s a funny thing that in the Empire in which the Monarchy is most firmly established, we have the truest democracy,” he remarked. “Yet these men, to suit their own ends, are prepared to use and accept that democracy.” He cited a recent case of an avowed Communist in England using our democratic Courts to get his.freedom, and another case in New Zealand where one of the same feather was defended in the King’s Court by a K.C. who is also the head of the National Party (often dubbed Tory) to such effect that a King’s Court Judge had said the man had been unjustly treated and had to be restored to the position from which he had been removed. “That,” Mr Barry asserted, “could ]' not have happened in the country i these men are representing. They -would disappear, and nothing would be heard of them again. That’s the democracy your movement defends, and I trust will continue to defend.” . The Commandant thanked Mr Barry for his remarks, adding that those anent freedom had touched the core of all Frontiersmen’s hearts. Empire In Jeopardy A remit introduced by K. Squadron, Masterton, and placed before the conference by Capt A. G. Wallace, sought to delete the rule that no religious or political discussion be permitted at Legion meetings, but after it became clear that it was-intended merely to permit full discussion on Communism and other doctrines of a subversive na-

DEEP CONCERN EXPRESSED OYER COMMUNISM’S PROGRESS IN WORLD: RENEWED RESOLVE TO RESIST IT

Comraunism, the red spectre that stalks Europe, spreading its -subtle tentacles far and wide, which threatens to sweep through the discontented masses of Asia like fire through dry scrub country, was mentioned with deep concern a number c>f times at the Dominion conference of the Legion of Frontiersmen here on Saturday.' In all cases abhorrence of its subversive doctrine was the keynote, allied with firm determination to carry out last year’s resolution that all Frontiersmen fight this and any other subversive .elements by every means in their power.

ture, the Commandant ruled that it was unnecessary.

He said that, although Communism was a political ideology, he considered they had every right to discuss it, because the Empire was in jeopardy “through the machinations of these people and their fanatical followers.” He recalled last year’s resolution that all Frontiersmen should use every means in their power to fight Communism or any ether subversive elements. In view of that resolution, he ruled that the remit and amendments were unnecessary. That appeared to be the unanimous opinion, and the remit lapsed.

“Find The Cause And Fix That” Striking contribution to the discussion was this from Capt ’Wallace:

If we can find the cause which makes people turn to Communism and check that, then we can check Communism. But as soon as you create a state of martyrdom, you will get an increased number tof sympathisers for the marty’s cause. Find what at the basis of making people Communists, fix that, and Communism will die out. Later, in discussion on a Headquarters remit seeking practical support for Rewi Alley’s work in China 2/Lt Gardner, Palmerston North, expressed a similar opinion tc Capt Wallace’s when he said, “After all, we are a brotherhood, pledged to assist our brothers, and it’s up to us to help Rewi in the work he’s doing in China. “What he is doing is one of the biggest fights against Communism in the world today. What causes Communism is want and frustration. Where there is freedom and plenty, Communism dies.” Must Face Challenge ,To Empire 9 Sags M.P. Further forceful reference to Communism’s challenge to the democratic world was made by Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., proposing the toast to the British Empire at the Legion’s reunion on Saturday evening. “Twice in our lifetime,” he said, “we have been driven almost to the last ditch. Today we are faced with another similar challenge. “A country in the Far East has set out if it can to conquer the world. We who stand for freedom and justice—the freedom of all men -= must face that challenge.” He said that overseas today there was an effort to tie together all the peace-loving nations to preserve that jusice, fair play apd the freedom to allow men to go about their lives their own way. “Thank God,” said Mr Sullivan, “for the fact that a country like the. United States is friendly towards us.” “Certain Amount of Rot” American aid, he asserted, had reunited and rejuvenated, the British Empire to some extent, but it still had to be admitted that “a certain amount of rot had set in.” He did not think South Africa a loyal as it used to be. India, since she had been granted self-govern-ment, was a doubtful quantity, “prepared to eat at our table provided what we have to give is better than anyone else can give.” Pakistan, though perhaps more loyal was smaller and almost surrounded by India. It was uncertain where Ceylon stood, and Southern Ireland wanted complete severance from the Empire with all the privileges J Britain and America could give her. I Force For Peace

Anyone attempting to close his eyes to the situation would-be only a fool, and the only way to stem the onrush from the East was by strengthening and binding together the democratic nations and assuring that they had the best possible equipment with which to defend themselves if necessary. “Is it not better,” Mr Sullivan asked, “to spend now and equip ourselves to be a force for peace than to face another test such as those of 1914-18 and those more recent few years?” Mr Sullivan was warmly applauded, when he concluded by saying every one of British nationality should vow never to be a party to the liquidation of the British Empire.