COMMUNIST ACTIVITY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 August 1924, Page 15

COMMUNIST ACTIVITY.

PERTURBATION IN LABOUR CIRCLES. Communists in Christchurch are causing considerable perturbation in Labour circles, according to statements made by a prominent Labour official to a reporter. The position in Christchurch, he said, was worse than in any other centre of the Dominion. “They are few in numbers,” he said, ‘‘but they have the knack of getting into the heart of the movement. They are gaining places on the executive of various Labour organisations, and are causing considerable concern amongst the saner Labour men.”

The Communists, he continued, belonged to small organisation in Eng-lish-speaking countries, but were very keen and zealous m spreading their doctrines. They aimed at ‘‘getting into the saddle” where possible, hoping thus, in spite of opposition, to force the Labour movement into actions which the majority deplored. As yet in Christchurch they had been unable to do much, but they were making their presence felt. Their number included one or two elderly men, but they had a small following of irresponsible youths.

“I hey are all Marxian authorities,” said the official with a smile. “They have read a sixpenny pamphlet, anil are therefore qualified to teach the principles of Communism. At the annual meeting of one Labour body held a ( day or two ago in Christchurch three Communists were elected to executive positions. These men also held positions on the Labour Representation Committee. They had also worked their wav into the educational movements. They seemed to be worming their way§- into the heart of working class movements with the object eventually of gaining representation in Parliament. They were elected to these Labour bodies from affiliated unions, having gained the confidence of those who attended the union meetings by the skilful use of their tongues. “These men,” the official continued, are a menace to the working class. They are men who are never "without a. grouch. They have one aim, that of putting the yoke of Communism upon the people, and are not very scrupulous as to tlieir methods of attaining this ideal.” The speaker referred to the statement made in Queensland recently by Mr. Theodore, the Labour Premier, who said that Communists were working from the heart of the movement, intent on its destruction • they were a canker which would disease tlie whole Labour movement, and ultimately destroy - it unless they were removed. “That is what w 4 are up against in New Zealand,’’ concluded the official. Conversing with a member of a union the reporter was informed that several Communists who were members of one trade had taken charge of his union, had been elected to the executive of the union and then had sent themselves as delegates to the L.R.C., Trades and Labour Council, and other bodies. “We can t do anything at present,” he said. but hope to be able to get rid of them when the next annual meeting comes round.” &