“TO BE FOUGHT”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26633, 2 December 1947, Page 4

“TO BE FOUGHT”

COMMUNISM MENACE MR FRASER’S ASSURANCE P.A. GREYMOUTH, Dec. 1. “ I think Communism is a menace and a danger which has to be fought in every field. It is alien to our country because Communists do not accept the principle pf democracy that is part and parcel of our way of life,” said the Prime Minister, replying to a questioner at his crowded meeting of over a thousand at the Opera House tonight amid cheers.

“ Communism does not suit New Zealand and is not going to get a foothold here. The National and Communist Parties are allies and use almost, if not, the same words,” Mr Fraser said, quoting a statement by Mr S. G. Holland at Tuakau in February, 1946, commenting on the disagreement between himself (Mr Fraser) and Mr Gromyko at the United Nations Assembly. “ I thought that Gromyko was wrong trying to dominate and lay down laws and demands as Communists do wherever they are. On behalf of New Zealand, I was not going to tolerate that.” added Mr Fraser. “The Labour Party is clear and without doubt about these issues. Because, to-day, there are certain people in some countries trying to dictate, some trade unionists have been led away, but they will in time reassert themselves.”

Questioned later. Mr Fraser denied that he had said Communists should be ousted. “ I said trade unionists who were letting themselves be led by Communists were letting down their country. I am not here to discuss personalities, but I will say that anyone who believes in Communist principles is not fit to head a trade union.

“I am not here to attack Russia,” Mr Fraser added. “That is their own business. The greatest disservice that anyone can do is to say that the present difficulties will end in war. Russia is all right in her own country, but not in ours: For us, who are founded on democracy, to import something alien is just insanity.”