TO FOSTER GOOD-WILL

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 170, 6 April 1923, Page 9

TO FOSTER GOOD-WILL

ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION

BRANCH TO BE FORMED IN WILLINGTON

A meeting convened by Mrs. de Castro to ,consider the advisability, or forming a branch of the English-speak-ing Union, was held in the Pioneer Club last evening, with Sir I'rancis Bell in the chair. An . apology, .was received from the Prime Minister (Right Hon. AV. F. Massey), who, owing to pressure of public business, was unablo to be present, but expressed strong sympathy with the movement; also from tho Consul-General for America in New Zealand (Mr. Wilber), who wished the meeting every success. . Sir Francis Bell said that it was not a work of supererogation in New Zealand to take part in a movement in which leading men in both America and Britain were engaged. America was brought close to New Zealand by trade, and there were few who could fail to recognise the intimaev of relationship which must result from New Zealand’s acceptance of the mandate over Samoa. In Samoa the people of Now Zealand had become close neighbours of the Americas, and everything that could possibly bo done to bring about a good understanding should be done by good citizens in both countries. Sir Robert Stout said that it had been stated by different people that the world was in a parlous state, and perhaps never before had there been so much pessimism as to the future not only of the British nation, but of tho white races of the world. . Although there had been quarrels in the past between America and England, to-day there was no cause for dis-, agreement betwen the two countries. The’ welding together of the two great English-speaking peoples would have an enormous, effect upon the League of Nations, and woijld be an object lesson to the whole world. There were no ulterior motives at work, but simply tho desire for peace and friendship. There were- many people in America who were proud to trace their ancestry back to their English forbear's. A good American was like a. good Englishman, and a good .Englishman like a good American. Sir Robert Stout hoped that tho English-speaking Union would be a strong one, and that the high ideals of both countries would be realised. Mrs. de Castro, organiser of tho movement,, explained that tho Englishspeaking union aimed at increasing the knowledge of one another possessed by English-speaking peoples, at promoting good-fellowship and understanding among them. Tho creed of members was that the world’s peace and the progress of mankind could be largely helped by unity’ of purpose on tho part of-the’English-speaking democracies, and they pledged themselves to promote by every means in their power a good understanding between America and,.the British Commonwealth.. Mrs. de Castro advocated the establishment of a club in AVellington. where people from the English-speaking countries could* forgather. Sir John Salmond, who had represented Now Zealand"nt the AVrvshington Conference’, said that the Englishspeaking Union was. not a new or unknown organisat’on. It was only by eliminating distrust, and ill-will, that tho people of the United States of America and the British Commonwealth could co-operate in tho cause of peace and justice on earth in the way in which they were pre-eminently entitled to do. It was inconceivable that such a tragedy as war could arise between them, but it could not bo denied that there was a somewhat imperfect sympathy between the two peoples. Presonally, he had experienced boundless hospitality, kindness, courtesy, and consideration, but nevertheless there was 'between the two peoples an under-, ’lying element of national antagonism which did its evil work and should be eliminated as soon as possible'. Tliree lending causes for this were: (1) The enormous foreign population in America, consisting of millions who had never seen England and could not speak the English language; (2) the Irish element, which had brought with it to’America the feelings of bitterness with which it had left Ireland; (3) the teaching of histqry in the American schools. He would rather see the young people grow up in the Blackest ignorance of history than be taught the one-sided tilings which made them forget or look askance at the Old Country across the sea. It was such things ns these that made the men responsible for the Union agree that surr.ethihg should be done to bring the nations together and change ill-will and suspicion into good-will and confidence. Mr. G. Toogood and Dr. Platte-Mills also spoke, and finally Sir Francis Cell moved: “That a Branch of the Eng-lisli-spbaking Union of tho.Jlritish Kmp.re be, formed in New Zealand.” Tho motion'was unanimously carried. It was decided that His Excellency, the Governor-General should be asked z to accept the position of patron. Sir Francis 801 l was elected the first president; the Right Hon. AV. F. Massey, honorary president ', vice-presidents, Sir John Salmond, Sir Heaton Rhodes, Sir Andrew Russell. Sir John and Lady Findlav, "the Bishop of AVellington and Mrs. Sprott, ‘ Colonel Campbell, Dr. Platts-MUls. Lady Stout, Mrs. Chatfield, Mr. Harcourt, Miss Kane, Mr. S Stewart; committee, with power to add, Mr. Leigh Hunt. Mr. and Airs J. I). Gray, Mrs. Preston, Miss Coad, Mr. Sievwri'ght, Mr. and Airs. Morpeth, Mrs. J. C. Andersen, with Mr.’ Morpeth as chairman of committees. . It was decided that a' large meeting should be held shortly.