PEACE AND WAR

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 126, 30 May 1928, Page 10

PEACE AND WAR

A PUBLIC MEETING WORK OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS THREE RESOLUTIONS A public meeting under the auspices of tho Dominion League of Nations Union was held in the Dominion Farmers' Institute last night. The bad weather doubtless prevented tho presence of a very largo audience. Addresses were delivered by Mr. "S-. L. Comb's, Mr. W. Nash/'Mrs. 'j. Hannah, Mr. W. P. Boilings, and the Eev. J. A. Allan. Dr. A. G. B. Fisher, professor of economics at Otago and president of the union, was in the chair. In his opening remarks Dr. Fisher said that it-was sometimes made a reproach to people who supported the League of Nations that they were sentimentalists who refused to look facts squarely in the face; but it should surely now bo clear that the work which tho League had already achieved had had consequences that must appeal to the most severely' practical mind. The improvement in economic conditions now confidently expected in New Zealand was undoubtedly partly due to the work of the League in organising tho economic reconstruction of Europe. Speaking on the subject of the multilateral treaty, Mr. Combs, vice-presi-dent' of the Educational Institute, said that he did not like the idea of a multilateral -treaty; but it was better than secret diplomacy" and perhaps was half-way towards open diplomacy. Bebehind t'le issue of the multilateral Treaty was the possibility of a compact for peace amongst the ' "Big Four." Tho, only alternative was armaments, and armaments was' simply an avalanche. Behind armaments was the reciprocal fe,ar of one nation for another, and nothing good for human- | ity was ever born of fear. The aftermath of war, in addition to" devastation, was disillusionment and moral and spiritual bankruptcy. Tho war was "to make tho world safe for democracy," but what now was the position of democracy? "In duo deference to your chairman, it is npt a .little rain, a little warm rain, that has* kept people away to-night. The paucity of the attendance is due to apathy and indifference ' sunk into the minds of our democracy, and to that apathy and indifference war is due." The claim of the child for tho right of a.-better world was to his mind a more potent argument for preserving peace than the claim for increased economic prosperity. The cry of "No more war," said Mrs. Hannah, was reiterated again and again by tho signatories to the League of Nations, yet staggering millions were still being spent on armaments, and scientists were working night and day to perfect means of destruction; "they arc preventing tho next war by getting ready for it." It really did not matter what stand Governments took. What did matter was the way people thought; that :would < make; thereal difference. THE LEAGUE'S ACTIVITIES. Mr. W. Nash spoke in appreciation of what tho League of Nations has done. In his opuiion the onjy portion of tho Peace Treaty that made for peaco was that part dealing with the League of Nations; other parts tended to breed the warlike spirit. Tho League was but eight years old, but never had a healthier child come into tho world. He instanced how the League, representing 56 nations, was entering tho international field in all directions. It was an organisation which cost the world one niillioji pounds a year, and never had a million pounds been bettor spent. He contrasted that sum with' the money spent on armaments, asking which expenditure was of mqst benefit to the world. The speaker paid special tribute to the work of the International Labour Office, one of the most potent of the League's activities. < The future of the League of Nations was dwelt upon by Mr. .Rollings, who maintained that the .League was the inevitable outcome of civilisation. Although America was standing out from tho discussions, he was convinced that she would bo bound by tho spirit of any •decisions made by th.c League. The Rev. J. A. Allan pointed out that the League was no longer an ideal, but an accomplished fact. For it to llourish it-needed tho support v of the people, a support which in New Zealand did. not.seem to be. very adequate". He appealed to all present to make the work of the League better known and to further its objects. A vote of thanks to the speakers was proposed by Dr. Gibb and carried by acclamation. RESOLUTIONS CARRIED. The following is the text of the three resolutions carried by the meeting:— (1) Those present at this meeting, as members of tho League of -Nations "Union, or sympathisers with the League's great ideal of a, warless world, arc' deeply thankful that the Government of the United States has initiated what promises to be a successful movement for tho outlawry of war. The Covenant of the League provides, under certain circumstances, for sanctions of force. The exercise of these sanctions is, however, only a remote possibility; and in any case it is already1 evident that the nations to whom America is appealing, and especially Britain and Germany, do not apprehend any impassable barrier between them and the bilaterial treaty. Those present rcjoico in the evident .increasing and widespread determination that Avar must cease as a means' of settling international disputes, and iippeal'to the Now Zealand Government to support the movement to the utmost of its power. \ (2) This meeting appreciates the splendid work accomplished by the League of Nations. Since its inauguration eight years ago it has rendered unparalleled service in the creation of a better understanding between the nations, and we are of the opinion that the continuity of tho work of the League and tho extension of its activities will be the most potent agency for the preservation of the peace of the •world. (3) This meeting, realising that the success of - tho League of Nations is largely conditioned by ilio backing it receives from the people as distinguished from their rulers; and that the unions are 'the most effective channel for the expression of popular sympathy with the League, whilu pleased that brandies of the union arc steadily increasing'in number and that the total membership of tho brunches has much increased, expresses the conviction that thus far the people of1 New Zealand have not shown an interest in the League in any way proportionate to its vast importance to human welfa.iv, ami Cue hope'that the ensuing year will show a marked advance. To this end those present pledge themselves to <lo all that they can during tho lioxt twelve months to spread information about the League and to add to the membership of tho unions.