Former Servicemen Agents For Peace

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29162, 24 March 1960, Page 12

Former Servicemen Agents For Peace

Former enemies had been brought together in harmony and were now working alongside United Nations and government agencies in assisting underdeveloped countries, said Mr Curtis Campaigne, in Christchurch last evening. Mr Campaigne was explaining the work of the World Veterans’ Federation, of which he is secretary-general, and which has a membership of 145 veterans’ organisations in 38 countries. Mr Campaigne, an American w .ose headquarters are in Paris, has come to New Zealand in the course of a tour of member countries. In New Zealand he will have discussions with leaders of the Returned Services’ Asso-

ciation —a member of the federation—and Cabinet Ministers. New Zealand and Australia had much more to offer the World Veterans’ Federation than they could receive in benefits from it, Mr Campaigne said. They had already demonstrated their willingness to help by providing technical assistance for their neighbours in the East. Servicemen, whatever their colour or creed, were brought together in times of war and emergency and formed bonds of comradeship and were bound together in a disciplined body, Mr Campaigne said. They became a potent force in civilian life. “How important it is that that force should be channelled into whet we regard as the right, democratic and free ways has been demonstrated many times in the post-war world,” he said. In Ghana, former servicemen had been- the moderate force behind the present leader, Dr. Nkrumah. In Kenya, former servicemen had provided the leaders of the Mau Mau. World Peace Mr Campaigne explained that the federation had been formed to serve the cause of world peace based on freedom of the individual and the independence of nations. It had consultative status with the United Natjons Economic and Social Council, the Food and Agriculture OrganisationU.N.E.S.C.O. and other world organisations. Holland had sponsored the Indonesians as members, an Australian had proposed Japan. France had accented Germany, he said, illustrating the composition of the federation in which he has taken a leading part. Mr Campaigne, who* was admitted to the New York bar in 1939 and who was associate general counsel of the International Paper Company for 12 years decided in 1953 to devote all his energies to veterans’ work and became executive director of the World Veterans’ Fund. Mr Campaigne is accompanied on his tour by his wife. They were met at the Christchurch Airport last evening by Mr A. S. Farrar, president of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association. This morning they will be taken to Canterbury Agricultural College. Lincoln, and will leave for Wellington this afternoon. They w ill spend five days ir New Zealand before returning to Australia.