COMMUNIST CLAIM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20125, 20 December 1939, Page 4

COMMUNIST CLAIM

SUPPORTERS OF LABOUR CLASH WITH MINISTER MR. WEBB’S FIRM STAND Thera was an unexpected interruption of an address by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, in the Trades Hall, Palmerston North, on Monday night. His audience consisted entirely of trade unionists. The Minister was asserting that there was no place in the Labour movement foe advocates of revolutionary tactics when Mr, Frank Lee, who claimed that he was a member of the Communist-Party, jumped to his feet to object. He said he wanted to deny suggestions that the Communists were trying to wreck all the Government was doing. He said there were many Communist members of the Labour Party who had been in the movement all their lives. 'Mr. Webb stated that Communists had held meetings denouncing the Labour Party, which had passed resolution after resolution at conferences expelling Communists from their ranks. The Labour Party believed in bringing about changes by building up and not by breaking down, and the time had come when, there must be a showdown.

Mr. Lee: I have fought for the Labour Party from the soap-box.

Mr. Webb: There is no room in this country for a party which hails Stalin or Lenin. It would not •be tolerated.

The policy of foreign nations was not wanted in New Zealand and those who felt Russia a better place should go there -.nd see for themselves, added the Minister. He had friends now Working under Nc. 13 ipheine who told him they were in a better job and working under better conditions than the best existing in Russia.

Mr. Lee assured the Minister that Communists were sincere fighters in the Labour movement.