COMMUNISTS SUSPENDED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31079, 7 June 1966, Page 1

COMMUNISTS SUSPENDED

C.V.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 6. The Wellington Committee on Vietnam tonight discussed the suspension of seven Communist members of the organisation. The chairman of the committee (Mr B. Mitcalfe) called the meeting to discuss what action should be taken against the members because of the “Red smear” the Communists had given the organisation.

More than 60 members attended the meeting, which was closed to the press.

In a newsletter explaining the background to the meeting Mr .Mitcalfe alleged that a report in the “New Zealand Communist Review” said the Communist Party had led the Vietnam committees throughout the coun-

try In their opposition to New Zealand's military involvement in Vietnam. “Although there were Communists In most of our protest activities there have been none on the executive committee,” Mr Mitcalfe ’» ld -

“There will be those who would assert that, no matter what actions the Committee on Vietnam take, the Red smear will be applied to us by those who disapprove of our aims.” Mr Mitcalfe said. After the meeting Mr Mitcalfe declined to say whether the seven members had been reinstated. The meeting is believed to have reaffirmed the right of all individuals to belong to the committee but also to have unanimously approved the action of the executive in suspending the members.