SUBVERSIVE ACTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 134, 7 May 1940, Page 6

SUBVERSIVE ACTS.

There will be general agreement among all loyal people in this country that the Government owes a paramount duty to take action to end disloyal activities and’the dissemination of subversive propaganda. It has the power to do this in the emergency regulations, and in drawing the authorities’ attention to this matter the returned soldiers’ conference will have the people’s widest support. It is a strange thing that Berlin should have complete knowledge of certain military activities in New Zealand ; in other words that what is transpiring here, and of which publication is forbidden in the national interests, should come over the air from the Berlin radio. There are obviously “enemies in our midst” to whom Mr D. AY. Russell of Canterbury referred when mentioning the broadcast from Germany. The Empire, he added, was facing its “hour of agony” and traitors should not be allowed in the camp. No words are too strong, and no action too drastic, in this matter. Norway’s lesson is a tragic reminder of how the spies of Hitler have penetrated many world countries, including Empire countries, and of the manner in which they are working for Germany’s victory in this war. They cannot be allowed to continue at large in this or any other part of the Empire, and it is the Government’s duty to prosecute the search for those who are sheltering under the British flag and seeking its downfall. There can be no two opinions about this matter; only the strongest support for the Returned I Soldiers’ Association, which asks that the activities of all organisations engaged in subversive propaganda shall be stopped; that action shall be taken against those who act detrimentally to the war effort; that anyone advocating or abetting Communistic principles and holdmg’ n Governni6.ilt position slio.ll be dismissed; and that naturalised subjects showing disloyalty should have the authority to be described as such cancelled.