Anti-War Movement

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 112, 5 February 1935, Page 11

Anti-War Movement

Sil- —The New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association notes that at the meeting held in Wellington on February - and 3 on the above most important subject one of the representatives stated that he represented three thousand men who would definitely support the “world statement and programme.” In fairness to the speaker, and to the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association and its eighty branches, it is mentioned that the impression created by his statement would imply that the three thousand members of the body which sent him to the meeting had expressed their approval of the proposed programme. This is not so; it is unlikely that ten per cent, of the three thousand alluded to have discussed the proposals or have even had an opportunity of thoroughly discussing other than the broadest possible views on the great and, most vital problem of “no more war.” . The problem has been given consideration by the Dominion Council of the NewZealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, and its decision was not lightly arrived nt. Similarly, the British Empire Service League, which met in Melbourne in November last, and which acts onbehalt of active members totalling over DJMXJ.UUU of those who served in the Great Mar, has also definitely stated its position.. Clearly and plainly, the ex-service men, allied or late enemy, detest war and the thought of more war. They feel that the problem is so huge and intricate that as loyal organisations they should not participate in any controversy but should have confidence in the general public of the world to remember the horrors and hardships of the last great eonflagration and to impress upon the leaders of the nations the imperative necessity of every endeavour being made to avoid armed conflict. , The New Zealand Returned Soldiers Association desires to make it clear that the representative of the branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association nt these meetings, even if his remark ot three thousand supporters were correct, only spoke for a very small percentage of the Dominion body of ex-service men. W e N Z SOLDIERS’ ASSN. (INC.). Wellington, February 4.