BEGINNINGS OF WARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 127, 31 May 1937, Page 8

BEGINNINGS OF WARS.

TRACED TO IGNORANCE.

ADDRESS BY DR. KOO. There was a large attendance at to-days weekly lunch meeting of the Auckland Rotary Club, held in Milne and Choyce's reception hall. Amongst the visitors were Messrs. R F. Roll (India), W. Sinclair (Sydney), A. G. Gurnsey (Christchurch). W. *E Hay (Adelaide), A. Russell (Gisborne) and R. Telford (Wellington). The president reported that a party froni the club, under the leadership o*f Rotarian G. Morton Smith, had given an entertainment at the Knox Home which had been greatly appreciated. A full report of the proceedings at the Pan-Pacific Conference held in Wellington was made available to members. The president mentioned that the club's annual conversazione would be held on the evening of Wednesday, June 23. The speaker of the day was Dr. T. Z. Koo, Chinese Christian statesman. who spoke on the subject of "International Relationships."' Despite remarkable advances in! modern communication, said the speaker.' there was still a large area of ignorance I between the various people of the I world, generally described as foreigners. • During bis travels he had found" that as soon as he was away from China he ! was among people who talked differ- : ently, dressed differently and had an entirely different outlook upon life. To his- mind the first need in a movement towards international peace was an increase in knowledge of the ways of foreign countries, for the beginnings of wars could be directly traced to ignorance. Despite surface differences, such as colour, figure and dress, mankind had in common the susceptibility to joy and sorrow and other human emotions. To the Creator they were alike, and actually should not be nt enmity for any fundamental reason. The vote of thanks was moved bv Rotarian W. Fortune. " I