Communists “Purge” Session

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1948, Page 4

Communists “Purge” Session

(By Sydney Brookes, Reuter’s Correspondent) . (By Airmail). The Bohemian village of Melnik, a beauty spot whose ancient battlemenu rise high above the meeting place of the rivers Elbe and Voltava, has sprung into the news in Slovakia as the first celltr P which a party confessional is tuny reported. The local Communists there have been carrying out a puige of unreliable members. This involves confessions, criticism, self-criticism and penance A recent meeting of the Communists of the Melnik district was typical of many meetings at present being held country on the orders of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. But details of this one became known through the interest of the Prague newspaper “Rude Pravo in its proccedin cs This* is the picture given of the meeting by that newspaper: lhe chairman ofthe meeting is a farmer, the owner of 12 J acres ot land-well below the limit imposed by the Communist Land Reform. In all, theie ar e fourteen members presentfarmers, whose deliveries of produce are to be reviewed, a school teacher who is to be condemned for a snobbish manner, craftsmen, including one who is to be condemned because he has failed to criticise his fellow tradesmen. The political secretary of th e county organisation of the Communist Party is there to observe and, where .necessary, intervene. The district secretary begins with an evaluation and criticism of the work of the whole district executive. After this comes self-criticism and criticism from every member. The secretary calls the attention of the committee to mistakes made since February revolution “in spite. . of warnings from higher authorities. Hq savs there have been cases of ‘indiscipline” towards higher organs of the party. At first, there is a lively discussion, and some members try to refute the criticisms. The county secretary intervenes. He explains the origin of the mistakes and discusses some “incorrect conclusions by the committee. The committee accepts his criticism and acknowledges its mistakes. In the next phases, every one is given unlimited lime to speak out. The members will stay all night if necessary. They criticise themselves then their comrades. The district secretary reviews their criticisms and finally each member is given an opportunity to recant and offer to do penance. The deputy-chairman confesses that he has not secured tne full payment of membership fees, but he has had a good harvest and is willing to make up deficiencies, in his favour it is stated that his de i - cries of produce have been good, especially of eggs: but he is of not having taken sufficient caie in another office, as chairman ot the District Farmers’ Organisation. He explains that he is over-buidened with offices. This explanation is not accepted. Some of the pointed out, have no connection with the partv. After hearing additional explanations, th P meeting him to employ help so that he can devote more time to his duties. The school teacher then gives what is described as “an insufficient selfcriticism.” “A rich amournl °J criticism follows from the connades. It is said that his bearing gives an impression of conceit and snobbishness. His private life is severely criticised. It is stressed that . these faults mav damage confidence in the narty The school Iteacher ie/acts “angrily” to this “sincere and honest criticism ” After the intervention of the countv secretary however, -he acknowledges all his faults and promises to correct them.. A tradesman is criticised for defending, as a paity member, other tradesmen, but only because thev were tradesmen like himself It is stated that he does not fully understand party policy. He too acknowledges his mistake and promises that in future he will “defend the interests of the community against bad tradesmen.” The newspaper report adds that every member listens to and acknowledges short-comings, promises to be aware of them and to try to correct them. “All had the feeling that after this re-examinption, collaboration would be even better than before and that thev were increased in moral strength for tlm continuation of the fight with the class enemy bn the road to Socialism.” The purge of rniinfv and dwtript party commit tees ’-'?s sa’d to have been completed bv fie end of the first week in October. Now the party has begun on Communist members of works councils.