DISARMAMENT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29007, 23 September 1959, Page 2

DISARMAMENT

PLEA

Call To Mothers

The Christchurch branch of the Federation of New Zealand Parents’ Centres at a meeting last evening unanimously passed a resolution, “That the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Federation of Parents’ Centres communicates with the Prime Minister, affirming their support for total world disarmament as the most effective measure to protect the children of all nations from the destructive barbarism of war.” Mrs Grace Adams, who framed the resolution, said that for too long the mother had looked out from her home to observe a world fraught with the carnage of war or the feverish massing of weapons in preparation for one. Yet what could she do but fulfil her immediate role of mother, even though her protective love feelings embraced, through her own children, every child in the world?

If a mother saw her angry toddlers fighting with knives and scissors did she intervene and remove the knives, leaving them with the scissors because they were less dangerous, or did she, as the indisputable first step towards promoting order and friendship, remove all the weapons.’ Mrs Adams asked. Of course she did the latter.

“There are times to speak out, and one of them has come,” said Mrs Adams. “We mothers are strong in number and none are stronger in conviction. If we cannot raise our voices now to have our opinions heard, then by keeping silent, we may be innocent parties to further physical strife.”