REFLECTIONS ON ECHUCA RALLY

By Eric D. Butler
As the national crisis deepens, League of Rights speakers are in growing demand to speak on the rural situation, the Bill of Rights, and associated subjects. When approached by the Riverina Crisis Committee to be the key note speaker at an Echuca Rally last Sunday, March 16th, I readily agreed, particularly when I knew that the rally was to be opened by the Rev. Cedric Jacobs, M.B.E. The A.B.C. has made much of the fact that in terms of numbers attending, the rally was far from a success. The ABC radio news said that the organisers were 'stunned" by the relatively small turnout, I was highly amused to hear that I was making one of my "rare" public appearances.

Clearly this rally had generated considerable interest, as witnessed by the fact that well-known League watcher, Mr. K.D. Gott, was present. I have been associated with rural rallies and marches over many years, but the Echuca Rally helped to confirm a view I have held for some time: that rallies have started to lose their attraction as it has become increasingly obvious that of themselves they cannot achieve any fundamental changes in policy. Many of the groups attending these rallies have become increasingly frustrated by the lack of a constructive action programme. The rally itself produced a major miracle in the outstanding leadership qualities displayed by Aboriginal leader, the Rev. Cedric Jacobs. It is a long time since I have been so impressed with an individual.

As I said in my Echuca address, Cedric Jacobs' recently published book, "Healing a Divided Nation" is a type of miracle. One cannot help be impressed with the commonsense Cedric Jacobs' message at the Echuca rally could prove a type of catalyst to the growing grassroots movement developing across Australia. Then there was the declaration of basic principles produced by the Riverina Crisis Committee. It would be hard to fault this declaration in any way. It could become the basis of a national grassroots movement with a realistic political programme.

As far as I was concerned, the highlight of the rally came after all the talking, when I was invited to attend a type of impromptu meeting of the many diverse groups represented at the rally, including the man who had come over 500 miles, from back of Cobar, N.S.W., to present a message. The meeting was attended by about 25 people, representing groups from right across the State, and a message came through loud and clear, the people have had enough of rallies; what they are looking for is a constructive action programme.

It was an inspiration to hear the vigorous expressions of native commonsense. A motion endorsing the Echuca Declaration was put by a very vigorous spokesman from the Small Businessmen's' Association and, I think was quickly seconded by someone from the Mallee, and carried unanimously. As the Riverina Crisis Committee had convened the Echuca Rally, representatives of that committee were asked if they were prepared to act as coordinators for all those groups which would be interested in associating on the principles outlined in the Echuca Declaration. Needless to say, I said when asked, that the League of Rights would be prepared to provide any specialist services required.

Unfortunately I had to leave before this meeting finished, but I left with a feeling that something of great historic importance was developing, even though this was in a tin shed with no chairs upon which to sit. But as one of those present commented, some of the most far reaching meetings or conferences have taken place in far less pretentious surroundings.

THE TRAGEDY OF JOHN LEARD

One of the most distressing features of Australia's deepening crisis is that basically good Australians are protesting, some of them spending their own money in an attempt to suggest solutions to their fellows which, if adopted, would make the situation worse. One of these Australians is successful businessman Mr. John Leard, who has become a household name as a result of his expensive media advertising. Much of what John Leard has to say about Australia's plight is basically correct. He has highlighted the chilling danger of Australia's external debt, and warns, "The International Financiers and the International Monetary Fund will take over and dictate our economic policies. Goodness help us - we will be swapping Australian politicians for International Bankers in calling the economic tune in Australia. It's hard to say which will be the worse."

But when it comes to offering solutions, John Leard reminds us of the famous Confucius statement: it is no use running harder if you are on the wrong road. We are all for more efficient production but the basic problem at the moment is not the need for still greater production, but what to do about current production. Primary producers for example are not going to solve their problems by still greater production. Reacting to the inflation whip, they have already over produced. Many wheat farmers know that they are no longer able to practise sound husbandry - such as longer rotational fallows - if they must "flog" their soils in an attempt to keep pace with financial pressures.

We agree with John Leard about the anti-social policies of the Trade Unions. But confrontation is going to play into the hands of the revolutionaries. All monopoly is evil and anti-social. But the most anti-social monopoly of all is the credit monopoly. If that monopoly is broken up then the piers of other monopolies will start to be eroded.

Confessions of the West's favorite Hero of '86
(The following item from Chas. Pinwill, League State Director for Queensland)
The Liberal media's nominee as the person most worthy of Western adoration and emulation this year is one Nelson Mandela. We are all aware of his brilliant career, his romance with his wife, his heroic and defiant stand at his trial in 1964, the intolerable injustice of his imprisonment, etc. etc. The Canadian Intelligence Service, Feb. '86 quotes Mandela during his 1964 trial for terrorism and sedition;
"We Communists felt that planned destruction of power plants, and interference with rail and telephone communications would cripple the South African economy and thus create a favorable situation for revolution".
If anyone was wondering at the high state of moral indignation at his imprisonment throughout the West's media, and his canonisation as a persecuted Saint in the cause of freedom, Mandela's statement above explains everything.

BRIEF COMMENTS

An interesting flash back; The New Times of August 19th, 1947, reported on a proposal in Victoria to merge all Municipal Councils into 12 Regional Councils. The Secretary of the Municipal Association of Victoria, Mr. Frank Jenkins, attacked the proposal, pointing out "experience has shown that the larger the administration the higher the costs, observing also "one of Hitler's first actions was to abolish local government." The first proposal to destroy Local government in Victoria was advanced by another Cain government, that ---of the present Victorian Premier's late father. The first Cain government was seeking to advance the Fabian Socialist strategy devised by H.C.Coombs and colleagues. Fabian Socialist Dr. Ken Coghill tries to link the League of Rights with Hitler, but in fact he and his colleagues are themselves supporting a Hitler policy.

Once again the people of Switzerland have rejected the proposal that Switzerland should join the United Nations. We have little doubt that if Australians had the opportunity at a referendum to vote on continuing membership of this international Communist front, there would be a massive NO. But Australia's political masters are not keen on Australians having a direct say on major issues, like immigration or the Bill of Rights. Australians must therefore devise other ways of making their voices heard.

The Australian (27th Feb.) reported that senior A.C.T.U. officials left for South Africa via Zimbabwe. The purpose of the exercise, "to train black unionists" in Australian trade union methods. This is another way of saying - to speed up the radicalisation of South African black labour. There was a "delay" in processing the formalities, according to a South African consulate. If the South African authorities had sufficient foresight and courage, they wouldn't let these Australian union 'leaders' into South Africa at all. They aren't going for the benefit of the South African Government.

We may, with profit, repeat here the 4 essential points we listed for South Africa in On Target last year (1985):
1). Maintain law and order by all means available.
2). Strengthen military, naval, air defences. Develop quickly the nuclear deterrent, if not already developed (as we strongly suspect).
3). Go on the offensive against the international subversive forces by all means available, e.g. minerals, technology. Build up a powerful "clout" against the perpetrators of psychological warfare against South Africa.
4). Scale right down South Africa's dependence upon unionised, industrialised black labour. This will be (already is) a handy tool for Communist union organisers to wound South Africa. Hi-Tech may be the answer.