DEMOCRACY CHALLENGED

Chronicle (Levin), 6 May 1949, Page 4

DEMOCRACY CHALLENGED

Communism Blamed For World Strife The cause of the -troubles throughout New Zealand and the world today was laid at the feet oi the Communist regime by Mr.- e M. Bowden, M.P., when speaking h fche Regenc Hall last night. Thc one dominating force behim national and international strif . vvas Communism, he said. Mr. Bowden was firing the openmg shots in the National Par.yt election campaign, and he discussed at some length the effect worL affairs would have on New Zealand's future. In looking at world affairs today one had to admit that conditione .vere very distressing, said the tpeaker in his opening remarks. The so-called cold war was in reality an open conflict, a conflict :bf .dea s, beliefs, standards of living md standards of thought. The issue for the world to decide was whether demoeracy, with its standards of human rights, was going to :urvive. If certain powers had their way, it would not. Although New Zealand was far from the centre of the conflict it was affected oy it. Split In Germany. i

First of all there was Germany with Berlin split into four sectors continued the speaker. Unfortunately, however, Germany herself was also sn'it four ways and Russian influence ex ended west of Berlin. Thus, to get supplies into Berlin, the ATies had • to pass through Russian territory. The Russians' refused to allow this and so the air lift had come about. An idea of the mvgnificent joh being dorie was gathered * when it was realised that a plane left Berlin every two minutes on this work. They were carrying supplies, including coal, for a city with a popuation almost as great as that ot New Zealand. With this nroblem solved, stil olher difficulties had been made by the Russians. They had struck a different- currency and stripped the countryside to feed Berlin in an effort to embarrass the Allies. By and large, however, the ATies had won through and from present reports it seemed as if the Russians were weakening. This was a very definite victory, rehiarked Mr. Bowden. Indications had been given that Russia was now ready to lift miitant control and it appeared that after 'all Germany would be absorbed into the "Western Powers' group.

Touching on the many.' and varied regional pacts, the speaker decried the necessity for these, but pointed out that the Communist disturbances were the reason for them. The Balkan Situation. Mr. Bowden related some of the trouble in China, Greece and Yugosiavia. This latter country, he said, was standing in the way of the Russian advance to the Mediterranean and Balkan countries. There was yet a possibility of war in the Balkans. The weakest part of the Western European alliances was the Middle East, the speaker continued. The concept recently was that it was very desirable to strengthen the powers of resistance should there be a break through by the Communists in the Mediterranean. Events in the Near East were of great importance to New Zealand and Australia. For this reason, an endeavour was being made to bring about a Pacific Pact. This wou'd mean close collaboration. between America and Australasia, The Unhed States defences were thousands of miTes from its coastline and this was the reason for their interest. "I wish I could use the term British Empire when speaking of. the British Commonwealth of Nations," said Mr. Bowden. "It is very distressing to realise the number of parts of the former British Empire which have. broken away." He enumerated the various countries, Egypt, India, Ceylon, Pakistan and Eire,^ while trouble was also being experienced with the Indian population of South Africa. the cause of all the trouble was the dominating force of Communism. Communists were a menace to New Zealand and all others in the British Empire. The Communist Threat. This was verv definitely recoghised in Australia, where the Communists were the main issue a' stake today, said Mr. Bowden. One unionist leader there had said that it did not matter who voted at elections, but who courited the votes. The same position existed in New _ Zealand, added Mr. Bowden. JSome of the leaders of the great trade unions' in New Zealand were hastily repudiating the Communistic doctrine, which had operated intimidation tactics throughout the unions. However, here, as in other parts of the world, people were apathetic. They left it to the few and it was easy for a miitant few to get control. To find the union leaders disclaiming Communism was very nice, but it was a little belated. What would have been the position had not the recent disclosures beeh made in Aus-

tralia, asked the speaker. In the forthcoming elections, how were the Communists going to vote? National or Labour? In a few electorates, no doubt they would put up 'their own candidates, but these were seats which the National Party could not win anyway. "Would they put up a eandida'.e in a key electorate where they might split the vote and »give the National Party the seat? No, because the socialist Labour Party and they. are all tarred with the same brush. Aftei* all, Communism is only socialism in a hurry.

They are all one and I say the Government is handling the Communist menace with kid gloves. "They need not because New Zealanders will back up any strong measure in this direction," jbe commented. The National Party was no 1 entangled with any past association with socialism. If it was returned at the elections, it could deal with the menace fearlessly. The most effective measure which could be taken against Communists today was to ensure that secret bal.ots were taken. This was because ihe "rigging" of elections was an integral part of the Commtmisvs' campaign. At the last sitting of Parliament, a Bil1 to ensure secret ballots was introduced. This provided for a very heavy penalty if a union went on strike without a secret ballat being taken. However, after it had come out of committee, the penalty clatises had been removed. It would be very easy for the National Party to have this clause put* back again when it was returned as the Government.