Happiness Depends On Unity

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32361, 29 July 1970, Page 2

Happiness Depends On Unity

It was time people realised that their happiness depended co-operation and a sense of unity in the community, said Mr J. H. Wakefield at a dinner held last evening to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the Royal Overseas League.

He was referring to “a strange feeling,” chiefly among younger people, that a person should be completely free to do as he liked; that he must be I able to live in the comi munity, have all the advantages of its organisation, all the benefits of the skills and equipment of others, but disregard all the established rules of the com* : munity drawn up of necessity to govern itself. Mr Wakefield, who is president of the Christchurch branch of the league, said i that New Zealand would face i some tremendous problems i in the near future. I “And we simply will not 1 solve them by controversy, perpetual argument, and tactics of disruption, he said. “1 think that people generally, of whatever political view, are heartily tired of those who try to ram their ideas down others’ throats and resort to violence when they fail.” “Mischief-Making” “We have all read articles on race relations which seem designed to create active hostility rather than solve a problem. The National Party said pretty much the same things I am saying at its recent conference—and 1 would think the Labour Party would say them too,” he said. “We will not have a sense of unity in the Commonwealth or in New Zealand unless we work for it and cease to give undue prominence to the views of those whose interests are not ours,” he said. “Some of the news we hear

and read would be regarded as mere mischief-making if it came from private individuals.” “This does not mean that we must cease to be critical, but it does mean that we must be more discriminating tn the things we fight about. A little of the energy that is put into controversy, diverted into useful channels would help a great deal.” he said. The Commonwealth was worth preserving; and whatever happened between Britain and the E.E.C., Mr Wakefield said he hoped relations between Commonwealth members would improve and that each country in the association would be given freedbm to work out its own policies without pressure from others. The Royal Overseas League was founded by the iate Sir Evelyn Wrench 60 years ago, with the main object of fostering friendship among all countries and peoples of the Commonwealth, he said. Mr Wakefield read a letter of greetings from the grand president of the Royal Overseas League, Earl Mountbatten of Burma. “It is not long since New Zealand enjoyed a visit from our patron, the Queen, and members of the Royal family, which did so much to further

the already close ties between your country and ours—ties which are so highly valued by us at Home.” Earl Mountbatten said. World Headquarters World Headquarters (London) would have the pleasure of welcoming many New Zealanders among the many visitors from all parts of the Commonwealth who would be taking part in the league's jubilee celebrations, he said. "We look forward to the future with confidence that the league will continue to play its important role in helping to promote friendly relations among the many different nations that make up the Commonwealth today,” said Earl Mountbatten. About 80 members of the Christchurch branch and guests attended the dinner, held at the Russley Hotel. Specially invited guests included Mr H. E. L. Pickering member of Parliament for Rangiora and associate Minister of Finance who deputised for the Prime Minister—and Mrs Pickering; Mr K. W. Walton, the Dominion president of the league; Mr D. W. Bain, the Dominion secretary, and Mrs Bain; and Mr B. Anderson, the Dominion treasurer, and Mrs Anderson.