War and Armaments

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 69, 14 December 1933, Page 11

War and Armaments

Sir, —Your correspondents continue to debate the subject of armaments and their relation to war. But even a brief survey of history will convince the most ardent pacifist that armaments are secondary in their importance as a cause of war. War is an economic factor. So long as we uphold the creed of colour, the standard of our living, the very preservation of our race, we require security. Frank national discussion and negotiation, offer the brightest hope for the future. Education too, has its uses. But until the education of those whose path of life is in conflict to ours—is in harmony to our own —until education achieves, with, religion, the broadmindedness of man to man, both nationally.and internationally,until man reaches this ideal, there will be that need for security. With all the wonderful means of communication available to-day, with all the aid of science, man is still internationally uneducated. Trade barriers, propaganda and racial prejudice will not further the feeling of trust and disarmament. Many to-day feel we cannot at this stage save a million pounds by further would-be peace gestures, only to pay later with the lives of a million men.—l am, etC " A. G. M. HOLMS. Wellington, December 12.