THE EVILS OF COMMUNISM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3005, 2 March 1926, Page 1

THE EVILS OF COMMUNISM.

WAKING TO THE DANGER

For some years past the New Zealand Welfare League and similar organisations elsewhere have been denouncing (he political communist movement emanating from Soviet Russia. These organisations were called “scare mongers” and they were classed as engaged in “hunting a bogey.” Public thought has changed. In Britain, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the Empire people and authorities have become more alive to the dangers of this violent revolutionary cult. A British Judge and_ Jury has sent a dozen of the Communist leaders to prison; the Judge declaring their party an illegal organisation. Jt is pleasing for us to find the “New Zealand Worker” coming round to views on this subject of communism which have long been expressed by us, and on which we were previously condemned by our Socialist Labour critics. In a recent issue of the “New Zealand Worker” the paper exposes the trickery of the Communists on the Christchurch Trades Council and closes its article thus: — “Our readers’ attention is drawn to these facts for the purpose of warning them against Communist insincerity. It is impossible to work with people who trade in disunity while mouthing humbug about the “united front.”

In another part of the paper we read as follows: —

“From the speeches and literature of the Communist party it is as clear as daylight that they no more believe in free speech than the reactionaries they condemn. What they want is not free speech, but just sufficient of it for themselves to build up an opinion that will support them in denying it to people who differ from them.” THE REASON WHY-

It is disclosed in these articles that the reason why the paper is thus condemning the communists is that it finds they are working on lines injurious to the “New Zealand Labour Party.” It is not a feeling of concern for the Empire, the Nation or the general public that moves these socialist labourites to combat communism. What has awakened them is the danger to their party. Judging from their attitude hitherto the Nation or Empire might suffer from communist intrigue and disruptive activity and it did not concern them. Now’ when their party is touched they see the danger of communist dictatorship and deceit.

We. welcome, the change, even though the reason is more selfish than social, and would suggest that the party may help itself by going further than it has yet gone against communism. It can expel the communists who are in its own ranks. This lias not so far been attempted. Political communism is a danger everywhere and Labour will be well advised to cut it right out, root and branch. (Contributed by the New Zealand Welfare League.)