OUTLAWRY OF WAR

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 301, 20 September 1928, Page 9

OUTLAWRY OF WAR

PEACE DEMONSTRATION TO BE HELD PROPOSAL FOR ARMISTICE DAY Preliminary arrangements for a peace demonstration on Armistice Day, which this year falls on a Sunday, were discussed at a public meeting convened by the Society of Friends, and held in the City Council chamber on Tuesday night. The Mayor, Mr. G, A. Troup, who presided, said it must be gratifying to the promoters of the meeting to see such a large attendance, which clearly indicated that the feeling for peace was growing in the community. That feeling was exemplified at the recent gathering in the Town Hall to celebrate the signing of the Kellogg Pact in Paris. Mr. J. H. Howell, director of the Wellington Technical College, said the meeting had been called in an endeavour to secure co-operation from all parts of the community towards taking a step in the direction they thought right to take — that of progressive disarmament. Steps were being taken in the various Australian Slates to hold peace demonstrations as large and as representative as possible on Armistice Day so as to try and kindle among the people a desire for progressive disarmament. Similar steps were being taken in some of the European countries. “We are entering upon a new epoch,” said Mr. Howell. “On November 11 it will be ten years 'since the date that terminated the terrible holocaust of the world’s youth. Whatever that sacrifice delivered us from, it left behind a terrible amount of ill-feeling that will take generations to remove.” Risks For Peace. Mr. Howell said that unless the signatories to the Kellogg Paet agreed to reduce their armaments the pact was an illusion. The ol<l saying that if you want peace you must prepare for war had been proved a lie. Surely the time had come for the people to show their Governments or representatives they were prepared to trust one another and reduce their naval and military armaments. It may be said that such a step would be dangerous, and that the other fellow could take the risk. “War has its risks,” he said, “and are we not prepared to take risks for peace and display some of that courage displayed in the war?” Mr. Howell then moved, “That arrangements be made to hold a peace demonstration in Wellington on Armistice Day in the direction of securng disarmament.” Step in the Right Direction. Dr. J. Gibb seconded the motion. The step contemplated, he considered, was altogether in the right direction. It had been a long time evident to him, and to many others, that until the people, apart from their rulers, took action, not much progress would be made. After all the pacts that had been signed, what signs of disarmament were there in the world to-day? Until the mind of the people was definitely expressed, neither the League of Nations nor the Kellogg Pact would secure disarmament and the real outlawry of war. Tiie motion was carried unanimously. Permanent' Peace based on International Friendship. Mr. W. B. Matheson then moved that the following resolution be adopted for passing at any demonstration to be held: “On this day of grateful remembrance, we citizens of Wellington declare our detestation of war, and our earnest desire for permanent peace, based on international friendship and on general disarmament.” The resolution was agreed to by the meeting. Mr. Matheson went on to say that it had been suggested that a peace demonstration be held in the Town Hall. An important question to be decided was the provision of suitable speakers. One speaker proposed that an open-air demonstration be held at the Basin Reserve, while Dr. .T. Gibb thought an openair and Town Hall function might be combined. The Mayor remarked that it would be questionable whether either would be available on Armistice Day, which fell on a Sunday. There were regular organ recitals on a Sunday at the Town Hall. In November, the cricketing season would be in full swing, and in the event of any gathering at the Basin Reserve the public would probably be confined to the portion outside the grass. A crowd could . not be allowed on the turf in the event of wet weather, as it would be destroyed for cricket. Mr. P. J. O’Rcgan said that in his opinion it was inadvisable to attempt something too ambitious at the outset. The following committee was finally appointed to consider the form the demonstration should take and the provision of suitable speakers:—Miss Bathan, Sirs. J. Natusch, Miss M. Richmond, Dr. J. Gibb, Messrs. W. Appleton. A. Russell, A. Gray, 11. G. Miller, C. Batten, W. Matheson, P. J. O’Regan, W. Atkinson, R. V. Hughes, and Coombes. Mr. Matheson was appointed convener. An apology for non-attendance was received from the Bishop of Wellington, Dr. T. 11. Sprott.