Vital issues in C.O.R.S.O. argument

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33479, 9 March 1974, Page 12

Vital issues in C.O.R.S.O. argument

(By

KEN COATES)

Argument and resignations at top level in C.0.R.5.0. (Council for Relief Services Overseas) show in sharp relief the world-wide development debate. At the centre of the rumpus in New Zealand is the adoption of a nation-wide C.0.R.5.0. programme called “Action for World Development." This seeks to create an awareness through group discussions throughout the country of the appalling conditions of many people in countries of the “Third World.” and to persuade people they have a moral responsibility to help alleviate an unjust situation. It also aims to enable people to see that with twothirds of the world’s people still struggling with poverty and underdevelopment, it is not enough to provide food to calm empty stomachs. Those favouring the education programme say its object is to show the nature and extent of development problems and let people draw their own conclusions and make their own responses. Rich and poor And they go further, saying that the belief that the rich aid the poor is a myth: the reality is that the poor aid the rich and the rich get the credit for it. Extending this line of thinking it is stated that it is the rich who control the system which violently oppresses millions of people,

and any attempt by the poor to gain power is swiftly and violently suppressed by the rich. This view of the underlying causes of poverty has not exactly been heartily welcomed by all in the C.0.R.5.0. organisation, although there seems to be general agreement that education on development is necessary. The fear has been expressed that research into, and discussion on, for example, some aspect of development in the Pacific, involving the prices paid islanders for their fruit, might result in a call for protests and boycotts. And this has been termed “political.” In other words, opponents say C.0.R.5.0. should have no part in supporting or initiating action which, although aimed at a more just deal for victims of poverty, could be unpopularly labelled “political.” Principal aims And the fear here is that the 30-year-old agency which has mainly been concerned with relief, which needs the support of all the community, will only have the support of a section. It has been strongly argued that “Action for World Development” should be set up as an entirely separate organisation by those who feel committed to its aims. Since the resignation of two top officials of C.0.R.5.0., the president, Mr Bruce Brown, has emphasised that the organisation’s aims would

continue to be meeting requests for emergency relief wherever possible. But he also said C.0.R.5.0. would support overseas development schemes bringing hope and purpose to people, “and investigate the deeper causes of under-development * and use information obtained in educational programmes.” Estimated spending on “information and education” in 1974 is $46,000. Other Costs including administration ($146,000) and publicity and fund - raising promotion ($109,000) mean that around a quarter of C.0.R.5.0.’s expected income will be spent within New Zealand. Those in favour of C.0.R.S.O.’s thrust into education and action designed to grapple ' with underlying causes of world poverty give this example of a need for action by New Zealand. Private sector agencies frequently receive requests from countries such as Bangladesh for community projects designed to help "the poor support themselves by handcrafts such as jute weaving. C.0.R.5.0. has suoported such programmes. But the products of these enterprises are a prohibited import for New Zealand. And it is argued that if it was decided by C.0.R.5.0. to take a “political” stand on this barrier erected against products of the poor world, then some with “delicate consciences” would stronglv object. Promoters of Action for World Development (A.W.D.) see all aid as having political implications. “Any aid and development

programme from any country has political and social consequences for the recipient country,” says’a member of the C.0.R.5.0. council, Mr P. A. Garside. “If C.0.R.5.0. continues to dig wells, supply tractors and distribute milk biscuits, only to find this is not helping to solve people’s basic problems of development, is it not common sense and economically prudent, to reconsider the form of our aid and the methods of giving it?” The argument that the majority of New Zealanders will stop supporting C.0.R.5.0. if the A.W.D. programme goes ahead is dismissed as nonsense. It is pointed out that the majority do not support C.0.R.5.0. now, and only around 5 per cent of wageearners are more than token contributors to any overseas aid programme. And further, supporters believe that the public is capable through education of a great deal of good will and a response towards aiding the efforts of the underdeveloped to achieve distributive justice. Church support

The idea of a separate organisation for “Action for World Development” is countered by pointing out that C.0.R.5.0., perhaps unconsciously, has been saying in its publicity that aid is solving the problem. In the future, it is argued, C.0.R.5.0. must take cognisance of attitudes it is reflecting on aid-effectiveness to make sure fund-raising

activities are not countering educational activities. It also sees a gain in stature among such groups as trade unions when it takes a specific stand on an issue which involves justice for poor, oppressed workers. While some C.0.R.5.0. members have been termed social reformers, the Presbyterian Church has expressed its support for the education programme. Stating that the Church accepts the demands for social change and the political tensions that accompany this, Dr G. R. Ferguson, convener of the international relations committee, says at least 20 per cent of its aid funds should be committed to education.

“We look to C.0.R.5.0.’s educational arm as one of the major agencies in this area,” he states. “We would wish to commit funds to a programme such as ‘Action for World Development’ because we are aware of the need not only to have an educated constituency, but more important, one committed to social justice and the demands for change that come with it.”

There are vital issues involved in the C.0.R.5.0. argument, and the May annual meeting is likely to be lively. Those favouring a new direction are adamant that the need for giving to relief and emergency aid will remain as urgent as ever, but the comfortable assumptions of charity aid and our way of life must be challenged if we are to begin grappling with the causes of poverty in the developing countries.