PEACE IN OUR TIME

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 197, 18 May 1936, Page 10

PEACE IN OUR TIME

Acceptance of Christ’s Principles OXFORD GROUP VISITOR’S VIEWS The conviction that the only solution of the complex problem of international relationships in Europe is to lie found iu the accepauce by all people of the principles laid down by Christ, was expressed by Mr. A. A. Platts, M..Y. (UxodJ, who arrived at Wellington on Saturday in the course of a world lour witli his mother. They reached New Zealand a few days ago from Australia, and have visited parts of Westlaud, including the Franz Josef Glacier.

In an interview with "The Dominion,” Mr. Blatts, who is a solicitor, of Bingley, Yorkshire, and a member of the Oxford Group, said he left England in February, when the FrancoSoviet pact was about to be ratified by France. Tension was growing daily more acute. This, with the appateut ineffectiveness of the laiague of Nations to settle the Italo-Abyssiniau question, was producing a sense of deep anxiety in Britain, as in Europe generally. An atmosphere of inijK'iiding disaster was in the air. The only solution was a Christian revolution. Lord Salisbury, sjleaking in the House of Lords on March 20, said: "The cause of the world’s ills is not economic, but moral. Iu |be words used by a great movement in this country (the Oxford Group), what is needed here is Godguided personalities Io make Godguided nationalities and a new world.”

At the invitation of President Roosevelt. Dr. Frank Buchman, one of the pioneers of the Oxford Group, visited Washingion a few months ago with a team of the movement. The president invited their advice on the world situation. It was a significant recognition of the fact that men were turning more and more to the teachings of Christ as the only permanent solution of the world’s disorder. It was apparent today that the so-called privileged classes were coming to a closer understanding of their responsibilities for and in the present economic situation. Asked how he came into the Oxford Group. Mr. Platts said he was challenged to face up Io realities and to change over from being a nominal and ineffective Christian to a sincere and active one. “There are no half-measures about lhe group,” be said. “You enlist for the duration of the war. if I can put it that way.” He emphasised that the idea that the world was progressing automatically toward a more equitable social order and international peace was belied by the present crisis in human affairs. We were thrown back Io the inescapable fact that only if men and women responded to lhe challenge of Christ to live out the principles of the Sermon on the Mount, would there be progress socially and economically and lasting peace on earth and goodwill .'llllolll.' mon.