Communists Trying to Run N.Z. Yugoslavs

Chronicle (Levin), 2 June 1949, Page 6

Communists Trying to Run N.Z. Yugoslavs

AUCKLAND, June 1. ' A statement that Auckland Communists in key positions were dominating the Yugoslav Association of New Zealand, was made here to-day by a former New Zealand Communist. Party member, Mr A. T. Marinovic, of Wel-;- • lington. They were using a constitution-^ ally nationalist organisation as a political weapon aimed at the very eountry^ it was founded to help. Mr Marinovic denied that their resolutions represent-j ed the rank and file. . . Last Thursday Moscow radio, in a broadcast.fo Yugoslavia, said New Zear land Yugoslavs passed a resolution condemning Yugoslavia and its leaders andagreeing with Cominfofnu's policy . of expulsion. Mr Marinovic, who is ti staunch Yugoslav nationalist, said this motion - was never discussed by the massed Yugoslavs until Monday night when, at his own expense, he spoke to 500 Yugoslavs in Auckland. Mr Marinovic, who is heading a movement lo oust. Communists frorn the Yugoslav Association, was heckled by Communists on Monday night but he stated to;day that all but a raucous minority enthusL astieally acclaimed his speech. "This'clique of Auckland communists — fourteen or fifteen — ' cook' every move made by the associationj " Mr Marinovic added. "They hold a big majority on the central executive and iili key positions. They pass resolutions condemning Yugoslavia toadying to Cominform and this is taken as the voiee of New Zealand Yugoslavs. W'hen the Cominform applied tne squeeze un Fugoslavia and Tito, most of us stood by our eountry.,,