The Press FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31,1965. Tests For Democracy In An Anxious Year

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30947, 31 December 1965, Page 12

The Press FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31,1965. Tests For Democracy In An Anxious Year

Violence and the threat of violence were themes common to a great many events in 1965. In all quarters of the world struggles for power led to disorder and bloodshed. Most New Zealanders viewed these events with an air of comfortable detachment, although with less complacency than hitherto. The war in Vietnam touched this country closely when New Zealand soldiers went to Bien Hoa; and. even before then, the debate on Vietnam had caused much anxious heart-searching among New Zealanders. Apart from this stirring of interest in affairs abroad, continuing prosperity and a rate of economic growth which brought its own problems preoccupied the attention of the New Zealand people. Prosperity is a luxury to which most New Zealanders have been long accustomed; perhaps this year they have enjoyed it with a growing realisation that it may not be as easily won in the future.

Individually and collectively, many people and nations showed that, given the will and opportunity, they achieve great things. Efforts to extend the limits of human activity ranged over many fields. Michel Jazy of France ran a mile in 3min 53.65 e record nearly 17 seconds better than the best run 40 years ago. Americans and Russians made longer and more complicated ventures into space with a growing proficiency and confidence. But amid all the efforts to move faster and further, to live longer and in better health, to produce more food and distribute it more equitably, to remove physical disabilities and reduce anxieties, the struggles of men for power over their own destinies and over the lives of others thought them closer to disaster and widespread conflict than at any time in recent years. China exploded a second atomic bomb in May; and that was a grim reminder of its first test explosion seven months earlier. The rest of the world took few steps towards accommodating the restless giant of Asia. China lost friends in Indonesia and Africa; and its ideological dispute with Russia continued in spite of efforts by the new Soviet leaders to soften the dialogue. Efforts to bring China into the United Nations came closer to success than before; but they still failed and China seemed indifferent to the outcome of the contest between its supporters and their opponents. Other events diverted attention from China’s ambitions, which clearly have not been abated. During the fighting between India and Pakistan in Kashmir, China’s threat to India over the Sikkim border briefly raised the possibility of a major conflict. Chinese involvement in the coup against President Sukarno in Indonesia has not been established beyond doubt; but uncertainty did not diminish speculation and, however independent North Vietnam appeared in its support for the war in Vietnam, China remained a formidable power in the background. Election riots in Nigeria, rebellion in Santo Domingo, Army coups in the Congo and Algeria, rioting in British Guiana, protracted demonstrations in Athens over Government changes, terrorism in Aden, and fighting in the Sudan all drew attention to the defective operation of democratic government, to the lack of it, or to impatience in achieving it. Demonstrations and riots in Selma, Montgomery, and Los Angeles were reminders that social change has lagged too far behind the times even in the advanced democracies. Two events shook the Commonwealth —the secession of Singapore from the Federation of Malaysia and the declaration of independence by Mr Smith’s Government in Rhodesia. The Commonwealth seemed to take the first in its stride; but the implications of Rhodesian independence in defiance of Britain’s constitutional authority make this potentially the most disruptive development in the history of the British association of nations. The worst consequences seem to have been averted for the time being: but the possibilities of further disruption in Africa pose a sobering challenge to Commonwealth statesmanship in 1966. Although 1965 was a year of anxiety, more than one hopeful sign appeared in the United Nations. In its twentieth year—lnternational Co-operation Year —the organisation buried the long-standing dispute over arrears of dues, enlarged its Security Council, and began its current session with new determination and renewed hope. Twenty years ago, an American economist, Beardsley Rumi, predicted that at the end of five years the United Nations would seem the greatest vision realised by man; that at the end of 10 years the world would doubt; and that, after 15, no-one would believe the United Nations could succeed. “It will only be when the United Nations “ is 20 years old that ... we will know that the “ United Nations is the only alternative to the “ demolition of the world ”, he said. The forecast has yet to be fulfilled; but in spite of the hazards encountered in 1965 there are real grounds for hope of a happier new year.