SENTIMENTAL COMMUNISM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2845, 12 February 1925, Page 4

SENTIMENTAL COMMUNISM.

lIOW BOLSHEVIST THOUGH'!' IS SPREAD. The political tenets of Bolshevism and revolution are not advanced in New Zealand by a Communist Party setting forth a Communist political programme. The oflieial Communist Party hits but a small membership and it is generally ignored. To understand where the leaven of Communism is working we have to regard the present N.Z. Labour-Par-ty rather than an outside Communist" Party. Whether Communists are admitted into the Labour Party or not matters little because there are sullicient socialist members in the party now who are ready to spread the gospel of communism by suggestive methods whenever opportunity offers. • The leader of the party declares himself a Marxian Socialist and that is bni. a communist in other language. Of course, being-politi-

cian, the Red advocates avoid putting their dangerous doctrines in other than the most moderate language. People arc not asked to adopt bolshevist or communist ideas they are merely inoculated with the poisonous convictions by the (-nulling process of the gradual instilling of false economic, social and political opinions. The most common means adopted by the Reds for circulating their social poison is by covering the false idea with a glamour of sentiment. For some time past the Socialist Labour politicians have been busy coating the pills of bolshevism with the sugar of sentimentality. As the elections draw nearer the sweetness is laid on ever thicker until the people are apt to be deceived into thinking there is •nothing but sweet sentiment. The Reds tried the raw method for a time and found it was not appreciated and now they are using the other means of soft words and specious pleading whilst their revolutionary aims remain the same as they were.

In this month’s issue of I lie “Katipo,” a Mr C. E. Collins presents this argument in support of Communist!^ —'‘Communism, is neither new nor bad. Our towns are already in a considerable measure Communistic organisations.” He then argues that streets, parks, libraries, etc., being public property, are “examples of actual Contmunism in our midst.” Mr Collins is President of the Post and Telegraph Officers Association. He is writing for the members of bis Association, amongst whom are hundreds of youths. He leaves out of consideration the fact that these public utilities depend upon private property, which is taxed and rated for their upkeep and suggests the false opinion that communism is nothing more than public ownership of certain common services. This is an example- of how the Bolshevist idea is spread and many such instances van he quoted. EXPLOITING CTIUTSTIAN’ITY. The Secretary of the X.Z. Labour Parly, Mr \Y. Nashj makes a speciality of seeking to extend his party's power and inlluence by using the Christian religion as a text and cover for the socialist and communist doctrines it espouses. At a Church Congress Bishop referring to Christ said “Tic disappointed the misguided patriotism of the crowd by refusing to lead a political revolution." Mr Xasli followed thus “The last speaker concluded his address by the statement that revolution was unnecessary. I, on the contrary, believe it is the one essential to put the world on the road to progress. A complete change of outlook —a different understanding of the purpose of life. In short, a revolution of purpose and foundation.”

There is Hie 1 ri<;k of suitesi.ioil. Revolution is presented ns the only righteous course l>y tlie implication that spirit mil change and political revolution arc tlit*, same —-which is ullerly false. Austin lie said. —“The point the members of the Ghureh should slress is Ilia! we are all sons of God. Therefore of one family, and all the resources of the family should be at the disposal of each one ol* the I‘amUvv The most hopefill of the age is the prolound dissatisfaction with the present system.” Here is international communism and revolt warmly recommended in the name of religion. As if to make his Communist appeal sure, be adds later: “May I suggest that what is required is to make one heap o’f all our winnings and risk it on the fact that Christ is God.” Referring to cur country, lie propounded this doctrine: “We hear much of love of country, often in the wrong sense but our citizen will love bis country where she in right and light her where she in wrong.” We suppose also lie shall he the sole judge of the matter as to when >he is right or wrong. Such is the exploiting of Christianity being carried out by socialist political advocates. They recommended political communism by appeals to sentiment, not unmixed with self interest. All things are to he held in common. Dissatisfaction with the order of society is to he held a. virtue. Our country is to he doubted hut the International deemed ever right. The people are to lie made accustomed to the idea of revolution as the right path to follow. All this is inculcated as religion under the assumption that a man’s life consists in the supplying of material needs and that this can he secured by the short cut of ending private property and starting afresh. The Red politicals are active at present spreading the ideas that revolution means merely a peaceful change and class war a new expression of brotherly love. It is well that the people should recognise these de-

c-oits. It is also of importance in judging the social doctrines of revolt to remember the words: “Take lived and beware of covetousness; for a man’s life consisted! not in the abundance of the things which lie possesseth.” (Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare League).