Vol. 81/No. 14 April 10, 2017
NZ Communist League campaigns to build party
Tatafu exchanged views with Brown and this reporter as we knocked on doors in her neighborhood to spread the word about the working-class campaign the day before the election. The vote was sparked by the resignation of Labour Party Member of Parliament David Shearer.
“That’s the reality for many workers, in spite of government claims of growth in the economy and employment,” said Brown. “Workers know from our own experiences that many of our jobs are casual, part-time or temporary — and low-paid.”
Tatafu said one of her relatives has been working through a casual labor hire agency for years, while trying to get a permanent job. Companies don’t care about providing jobs, she said. “They just care about money, about profits.”
“The Communist League demands a government-funded program of public works to put tens of thousands to work at union-level wages,” Brown said, “building or repairing social resources like schools, hospitals and public transport.”
During the monthlong campaign, the escalating cost of housing — rented or owned — was a frequent discussion on doorsteps. A recent international survey ranked Auckland the fourth least affordable city in the world to buy a house. “To end skyrocketing rents and house prices, we say housing must cease being a commodity for profit,” Brown said in his candidate’s statement in the New Zealand Herald.
Many workers wanted to discuss the significance of the election of U.S. President Donald Trump — especially his administration’s moves targeting immigrants.
Brown showed them the Militant newspaper, which campaigns for amnesty for undocumented workers in the U.S. and urges workers to join protests against the raids and deportations. Many were surprised to hear that Trump’s actions were built on the policies of previous administrations, including those of his Democratic Party predecessor Barack Obama.
Growing government moves against immigrants are the reality in New Zealand as well. Communist League campaigners joined 400 protesters Feb. 7 against Wellington’s anti-immigrant policies as well as Washington’s raids. On Feb. 11 Brown joined an action to defend Indian students fighting deportation.
Earlier that day he took part in a march of 200 people to oppose new laws that make it harder for working people to get released on bail and the government’s ongoing construction of new prisons. The protest was sparked by news that the prison population had gone over 10,000 in November.
“The rulers use their prisons to intimidate workers,” Brown told those he talked to. “They fear the working class and seek to keep us from coming together to fight against the bosses’ attacks on our jobs, wages and living conditions.”
The 10,000 figure doesn’t include thousands more who are in the clutches of the so-called justice system — on parole, awaiting sentence, or under supervision after getting out.
Labour Party candidate Jacinda Ardern won the Feb. 25 election.
“We found workers were looking for the discussions we began on their doorsteps and we made new contacts for ongoing political work,” Brown told those at a wrap-up social on election night. “The Communist League looks forward to putting forward a working-class, revolutionary alternative in the general elections in September.
“The theme then will be the same as in Mt. Albert,” he said. “Build a revolutionary workers party, build the Communist League, support us, join us.”
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