BALANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 36, 12 February 1943, Page 2

BALANCE

The Rev. C. W. Chandler has recently declared to us through your Saturday columns that he is no longer a pacifist, but omits to make clear to what extent he has modified his former views. The human mind usually swings pendulum fashion from one extreme to another, but between these extremes, or opposite poles, is found the realm of balanced thought and action. Because the greater part of the world is afflicted with lunacy to-day there is no reason for us all to become lunatics, for instance. War is a sub-human activity in which we all become involved to some extent, whether we desire it or otherwise, and Mr. Chandler must have discovered the truth of this, not recently, but long ago. The truly balanced peacemaker among others recognises this fact, and while his conscience may not permit him to directly engage in the crime of war, he will nevertheless find plenty of other useful and constructive work to do and so will have little time left for dreaming among the clouds or resting by the stream, as Mr. Chandler describes it. He will never become a centre of irritation within the community, but will endeavour to intelligently co-operate as fat as possible with his fellow men to radiate a spirit of goodwill to all. ALBERT G. TAYLOR.