REVOLUTIONARY DANGER IN NEW ZEALAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2625, 28 August 1923, Page 4

REVOLUTIONARY DANGER IN NEW ZEALAND.

ORGANISATION OF RED

FORCES

At present all is peace. The Welfare League’s drastic criticism of the Reds made open pronouncement of disruptive, disloyal and communist ideas so very unpopular that the Reds have taken refuge in secrecy. Their movement is guided by astute minds, both inside and outside New Zealand, and direction has been given to “press hard on the soft pedal.” No violent talk; no strikes; no public disturbances. Constitutional professions and quier permeation in all quarters. These are the present orders. The movement here is obeying the direction of the International Socialist and Communist head's to win power and let open action be held in abeyance till the power is consolidated. WHERE THE DANGER LIES. The Red movement is foreign directed against the British Empire, and the policy of camouflage which will ci’eate the impression that there is no danger is enjoined by the Head's in Europe to capture public confidence in politics and en--sure complete industrial organisation for the day of revolutionary action. Whilst the public is led to believe that peaceful reform is all that is sought, tlje Red political, parties and Industrial Alliance abate nothing of their revolutionary objectives definitely stated as: — (1) The socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange. (2) The control of all industries by the workers who operate them. POLITICAL BLINDNESS.

Another danger rests on the fact that many of our public men suffer apparently from political myopia, if not actual blindness. They take such a short and narrow view of the trend of affairs from the standpoint of the nation and Empire’s safety. For the sake of party or personal interest they adopt method's of political contest which can have no other effect than to strengthen the hands of the persons and parties that are aiming at revolution and the disintegration of the British Empire. In New Zealand, with our three-party system, we find many times over Liberals striving to beat Reform, and vice versa, to the advantage, in both instances, of the Red Party, which sits back and laughs. Were the Labour Party safe for the Dominion and Empire we would be disposed l f o -laugh with it, but knowing that its policy is destructive of personal rights and liberty, and that it is in co-operation with the International Socialist forces that are out to disrupt the Empire, we can but protest against the folly displayed. For the most part, the party politician sees but party and particular measures. The greater issue of the growth of a force in society that aims at the overturning of our whole economic and social system is'mot sufficiently considered by them. On occasions they shriek at it, but in. general they let it go on growing in power without taking effective steps to combat it. This weakness is a source of danger that should not be overlooked. THE NOTE OF WARNING.

• Those who warn of dangers ahead generally -get little thanks, people dislike-'being disturbed. “A little more sleep; a little more folding of hands,” is the attitude of too many of our people throughout the Empire to< be; at* all safe. The Socialist Revolutionary movement in New - Zealand-' (calling itself Labour) is but part of the International Socialist movement. The direction is largely from a foreign source, which looks upon the British Empire as 1 the bulwark to be destroyed in"'the interests of the world-revo-lution. Here” the’Red movement is consolidated in a political party controlling a large measure of the confidence of New Zealand electors, and an ' Industrial Alliance -controlling the great m'ajority of the >'■ Labour” Unions. With such a giant' combination in our midst, led by men having avowed revolutionary intentions, and allied to the great forces of * revolutionary _ organisation in Britain and the Continent of Europe,’ the possibility of

concerted attack upon our civil liberty is ever imminent. When we realise the fact Ilia I Ibis power is becoming greater every year, and its influence ever more widespread, the warning to all loyal citizens is very grave. The very silence flint, obtains is a menace; (be false security of camouflage professions is a serious danger, and the general apathy displayed by our people is the greatest danger of all. Our warning to all who think is that this foe within, allied to the Empire’s foes without, must not be lightly estimated. It is well led, disciplined and' directed, and to meet the evil of its fixed purpose we must have greater effort and organisation on the part of all who are opposed to revolution. The warning stands before us, and the shame will rest on us if it is neglected. (Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare League).