THREAT TO DEMOCRACY

Chronicle (Levin), 20 June 1949, Page 2

THREAT TO DEMOCRACY

Mr. Semple Warns Of Danger Of Communism « "Democracy is at the crossroads. You have only got to look at the rest of the world to realise thal freedom is in the melting-pot," said the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Works, when ad'dressing an attendance of hetween 150 and 200 at the Civic Theatre last night.* A very interesting film, "Here is New Zealand," had been screened, depicting many of the Dominion's beauty spots and industries. In introducing Mr. Semple, the Mayor, Mr. C. F. Atmore, who presi'ded, extended a cordial welcome to him. "Yes, this is New Zealand, a priceless heritage," said the Minister. "It is the Garden of Eden of the modern world; 110 years ago the first British settlers landed in this Dominion, then an unexplored and unknown land. Those pioneers were men and women of great courage, vision and enterprise. They had to blaze the trail and carry the torch. You have just witnessed the development of this priceless heritage of ours, the foundations of which they laid with ce'aseless toil and countless sacrifices. "How many realise just what a priceless heritage we do uossess. We bow 'our heads in reverence to their memory. But I regret to say there are individuals among us who, if they had their way, would destroy this heritage and hand this is^nd over to a foreign power. They wou'd throw posterity into the bondage of slavery. "Democracy means freedom of the race," continued Mr. Semple. "It means that you shall always be the masters of your own destiny, with the unfettered right to choose and dismiss your rulers at will. The only hope for democracy today is the unanimIty of the British Commonweaith of Nations. Dictators today contrcxl one third of the population of the world and behind their 'iroh curtain there are no rights whatsoever.

"Man the conqueror has conquered everything but himself. -We are living in a time when men and women can talk from one end of the world to the other. Man has learned to do wonderful . fhings.. Speed has obliterated distance, and we are living but a few hours from a hungry and envious world. Can we sit in our little spot and ignore what is happening in the world around us and make ourselves seeure from this treacherous thing that threatens civilization. Those of us who think that a population of 1,750,000 can hold this fertile little spot are living in a fooTs paradise. "Under a dictatorship 'it is not for you to wonder why, it is for you to do or die.' Every country in the world today where the iron curtain has closed round the people is a voiceless nation, and the figiit of the future is to prevent that kihd of tyranny and brutality from finding its way into this free and happy land. What is necessary today in New Zealand is to develop the spirit and will and the strength of the character of the pioneers who made this heritage worthwhile. Toil and sweat and skill will still further develop this country until we can carry. a 'population capable of defending it. What we are doing today, and have accomplished much towards it, is to harness the blind forces of nature and enslave them to the use of men, women and children. We have to exploit to the full, in the

interests oi. thq people, the. natural, resources of this, wonderful .and ricli little country. Everyone has to* contribute hiq. share towards this!! mighty.task. . ■ "I regret, to say. that some people want somqthing lor nothing. Let me put it to yqu (this way — we don't iive on money, we live on commodities. Those commodities are created by the skill and genius of men. .and women,. iThblr- Ml- creates ;• afjcom-munat-pbbl of „wealth. You barinot take' more out of it than you put into it; THe- person who. wants to malingerer, the loafer, the parasite. their quota is living- on ■ the products of other peopie's sweat and energy. They - are parasites and imposters in the real sense of the words. There is no room in this country, which has so much to do in the way of deyelopment for the malingerer, the loafer ,the narasite. "We in. tliis little island can, if we have the courage and the -vision, make -this .-land a pattern -for this wrecked ahdlsorry world to follow. Though, we a're small in jiumbers, thougii' we afe far-flung from the nest of the world, we have the. opportunity here t6; build a-kingddm ■■ of heaven on eaifth'i^ -everyone' "wi'l ! knuckle down and do their job. There is no roqm in this country for the Commupist wrecker who. would, if 'he '"had his.' Way; betray the people of this country and hand them over to a foreign power. These people - are 'traitors1 to this nation .-and "destroyers of the lives and liberty of the people. • "I am going tio. keep on fighting as long as there is one of those jokers left," concluded the Minister, amid appiause. At the conclusion of the Minister's address,f the chairman introduced Mr. D. J. Capstick, who was also on the platform, and Mr. Capstick proposed'- -"a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Semple for his able and emigh'tenihg speech, at the same time expressing appreciation of the film sho'Wn. The -vote was carried by acclamation, the Minister thanking the chairman. Prior deibarturfe the vjsifing party;^ Mexd gues'ts pf . btaki :TfcS;tPes, Ltd., at supper, served at the new modern factory owned b.y thisfirm. ' ' ' '