THE HISTORIC PRESENT

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33917, 9 August 1975, Page 14

THE HISTORIC PRESENT

f 5'7

WHIM WHAM)

“We w'ere involved in that conflict (Vietnam) directly and indirectly. That was in the past . . . Righteousness is for history to decide. The proper duty of living men is to think of the future.”—Mr Chatichai Choonhaven. Foreign Minister of Thailand, to the National Press Club in Wellington. If People think hard about the Future. It's to take their Minds off the Present Which is where Things have to be DONE, whateve the consequence Pleasant or Unpleasant Let History take care of the Past, as It always has. A College, or Consistory Of qualified Professors is all that’s needed To take Care of History: Whose Verdict on Vietnam or on Anything else. The Wrong and the Right of it. Is always a Little late for Anything practical To be done in the Light of it: History, in its Wisdom, will say. no doubt. What ought to be said — Long after all the interested Parties And their Heirs, are dead. ■Righteousness is for History to decide’ — But did We not Decide this for Ourselves, taking up Arms. To shoot, or be shot'.’ When We were involved, and ready to fight to the 1 American Bomb Or drop of Asian Blood, was it History We took Orders from ? Oh no. Sir. we were Right, in our own Conceit. And we lost that War — We weren’t the Debenture Holder, only a small Unsecured Creditor. Yes. we were Right. Sir. and our Cause righteou But it didn’t win, It was comprehensively defeated, that's where History must begin. 'Think of the Future’, that’s what the Man said. Naturally, too. When thinking of the Past is a little embarrassing. That's what You do' We could do Worse — and I have no doubt we shall — Than copy the Thais. Who are older and bigger and handsomer than We are. And a Lot more wise.