CENTRE OF WORLD AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 221, 19 June 1928, Page 9

CENTRE OF WORLD AFFAIRS

CHANGING FROM ATLANTIC TO PACIFIC

MOBILISING RESOURCES FOR PEACE

The movement of the gravity centre of world affairs from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, and how millions living around the Pacific basin would take a more prominent part in shaping policies that effected their own destiny, was referred to last evening by Dr. W. C. Poole, president of the World's Sunday School Association. Dr. Poole, in the ourse of an interview with a “Dominion” representative, stated that his reflections on history, and study of world movements, disposed him to believe that just as in the fifteenth century, the world centre of gravity changed from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, so in our day the centre of gravity was rapidly changing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. When the chapge of the fifteenth century took place, it did not mean the obliteration of those nations along the basin of the Mediterranean, .but meant that they played the less important roles in world affairs. So, to-day, when one spoke of the Pacific basin as being the new theatre for world events, it did not conjure up the idea that the nations adjacent to the Atlantic would become suddenly negligible, but rather that they would be cast for the less important roles in policies affecting world affairs. Further more, if there was any meaning in our conception of modern world democracy we must at least allow that the millions living around the Pacific basin would have some larger part in creating policies that effected their own destiny. Mutual Understanding. "In saying this,” said Dr. Poole, “I do not for a moment associate myself .with the viewpoint of some thinkers, who, in allirmiug that the Pacific is becoming the convergent poiut in history, think that that means that it will become a vortex of a veritable maelstrom, and that one can only look forward to the happenings of the next fifty years with fear and apprehension. On the contrary, I believe we can create such understanding of our separate and collective activities, as will produce stability on a basis ot working agreements. If this is to eventuate, it is imperative that we begin with the plastic mind of youth, and mould it along lines that will help to bring in this regime of peace, goodwill, and mutual appreciation.” Dr. Poole stated that all were realy to admit that the task was a difficult one, but not insuperable. Given competent leadership and efficient technique, there was no more fascinating task awaiting the skill of world-vis-ioned men and women than to rehearse the rising generation in those attitudes of heart and mind, out of which alone would come a world secure and happy. “Common Agreements.”

“We are beginning,” be said, “to think more about our common agreements than disagreements, and, in addition, calling the attention of the rising generation to the common interest, common loyalties, common sympathies, and common ideas, out of which we can fashion a human society competent to lead the world on to advanced and higher ground. If we think far ahead and are willing to mobilise the world resources for peace and goodwill, there is no limit to the possibilities of our achievements, but, on the other hand, if we do not' seriously face up to educating the world mind, the future has ominous bearings. All those engaged in the task of Christian endeavour feel gratified with the interest exhibited by world statesmen in tasks to which they have given their lives. All groups of thinkers feel that the supreme strategy of the hour is to capture the mind and spirit of the rising generation, and train it along lines that will obviate so much that has meant tragedy in the past, and enlighten it in those happier activities of living together in a world big enough to give everyone breathing space.”