RANDOM OPINIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 150, 11 April 1950, Page 2

RANDOM OPINIONS

Outlawing Weapons If we turn to history for a precedent in dealing with the atomic peril, we may conclude that it is a mistake to expect or to insist upon unanimity in respect to the adoption of a comprehensive plan of controls at the very start. Only 15 nations supported The Hague Declaration on poison gas in 1899. Yet 40 nations signed the protocol in 1925—some of them with reservations. By 1945 the outlawing of poison gas ih warfare became in effect universal. Experience shows that an international convention signed by a majority of nations gradually becomes international law. For behind all law lies the force of public opinion, which if strong enough tends to make itself felt and obeyed—Sir Benegal Narsing Rau. Art Of Conversation I do not want to talk to anybody, alive or dead; but if I craved for entertaining conversation by a first-class raconteur I should choose Oscar Wilde. —Bernard Shaw. Considering how foolishly people act and how pleasantly they prattle, perhaps it would be better for the world if they talked more and did less. —Somerset Maugham. Greatest Tragedy Loneliness is the most terrible tragedy of the human spirit.—Rev. C. I. Benson, Melbourne. Evils Of Time Payment The only reason why many American families do not own an elephant is that they have never been offered an elephant for a dollar down and a dollar a week.—Kay Ingham, American economist.