No Mr. Menzies

The result of the referendum in Australia is excellent. Suppression can only lead to underground methods and propaganda martyrs. Communism is better above surface where its inconsistencies, exaggerations and deceptions can be laughed at by the good sense of working people.

Under the Communist system, as under the Nazi system, political parties in opposition are not allowed. The Australian decision to allow the Communist Party to remain legal will lessen the increasing danger that radicalism of any sort will be suspect.

Having rejected Communism the Western nations must be careful to avoid mistaking any differences with current ideas and shibboleths as Communism. Minorities must be allowed to protest. A democracy only has the right to protect itself from overthrow and tyranny. This it can best do by allowing democratic minorities full freedom. Undemocratic minorities can be restricted for protection but otherwise freedom is our tradition. Let us not jeopardise it to protect ourselves from a deadly political power based on a dying philosophy with a corrupt view of the nature of free men.