NAVY LEAGUE STREET COLLECTION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22340, 2 March 1938, Page 8

NAVY LEAGUE STREET COLLECTION

TO THE EJJITOa OF TUB PEESS. cj r Your correspondents on the above subject. P. H. Pritchett and “Gunner,”, seem to have abandoned the discussion in order to make violent attacks on pacifism. The question of the Navy League collection is a small matter compared with the rash misstatements of these letters. “Gunner” says “Armed force is necessary to protect our Empire from an increasing number of international burglars.” It is noticeable that the question of possessions did not attain prominence until Britain abandoned free trade, thereby cutting off sources of raw materials for many nations. In view of the effects of modern warfare, our Empire is likely to possess little value if we “defend” it by force of arms As regards "international burglars,” your correspondent apparently believes that the statesmen of his nation always and only tell the truth in affirming that the whole of their arms programme is for defence only and menaces no one. Yet if he were to read foreign newspapers he would certainly find the situation represented in a different light. ft is with true sorrow that I say to “Gunner” that it is clear that all his suffering and that of millions of others was in vain, New Zealand today is not safe; but I also say that she never csn be safe while the world in fear and suspicion seeks peace by piling up armaments. I definitely repudiate Gunner s contention that pacifist methods have been tried since 1918. There can- be no pacifism while arms exist. Britain has never spent less than £100,000,000 a year on “defence” since the war. Arms appear as menace to every other nation. Security is impossible while armies and navies continue. To Mr Pritchett, I would like to say that Christians have but one lesson to learn, if they would be worthy the name. Christ said, “Blessed are the peacemakers”: “for all they that take up the sword shall perish with the sword.” And again, “Do. unto others. ...” , . „„„„ Pacifism is not new. It is 2000 years old, and has never died. Erasmus, the great scholar of the Renaissance, was a pacifist. I hope and believe that the time is near when the success of pacifism would - mean a new era in the history of mankind.—Yours etc., T. E. MILES. Hokitika, February 25. 1938.