HIGHEST IDEALS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 119, 22 May 1930, Page 17

HIGHEST IDEALS

TO PEEVENT .WAR

LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION

In an address delivered at a luncheon o£ the Wellington League of Nations Union yesterday the Hon. H. ,Atmoro, Minister of Education, said the constitution of the League of Nations was the highest conception that had ever j entered into the mind, of man to aid in the attainment of universal peace. There was a large attendance, including Archbishop O'Shea, Canon James, Hex. Dr. Gibb, Rev. 33. D. Patchett, Her. J. B; Blanehard, M. Luckie (Deputy Mayor), Hon. W. Taverner (Minister'of Railways), B. A. Wright, M.P., G. H. Chapman, M.P., W. H, Field, M.P.,~ W. Nash, M.P., and the Consular representatives of foreign countries. Mr. P. J. O 'Began presided. An apology for absence was received, from Mr. Pi leaser, M.P. The Hon. H. Atnioro congratulated the promoters of the function upon the great success which had attended their efforts. After alluding to the representative nature of the gathering, the speaker said that -the League of Nations was probably the greatest the world had ever known towards the preservation ol! society and civilisation. Anyone with proper perspective must readily recognise that the fate of society would be undoubtedly threatened if we had another war like the Great War of 1914-18. It had been well said that "war is hell," but he would go further and say that "war is lunacy." In view of the extended powers placed by science in the hands of man, it had become doubly incumbent on wellwishers of the, race to see that those extended powers .^vere used for construction arid not for destruction. STUPENDOUS COST. The Minister mentioned that the cost of thn Great "War was fifty thousand million pounds, and the cost was still accumulating. Ton million men lost their lives in that war. The cost of each man killed was £5000. New Zealand lost 17,000 men. In view of those stupendous figures, one could not but recognise that no effort could be too great which might result in the saving of such a tremendous amouiit of blood and treasure. At the end of the Napoleonic wars the national debt of Great Britain was 940 millions; and at the end of the last war the debt of Britain was 8000 millions. In view of these facts it was surely the duty of all to do everything to prevent such, a calamity as the recent stupendous struggle. The increased cost of war was well illustrated by the cost both in peace and war of a first-class battleship at the time of Trafalgar and the cost of a modern battleship. The cost of Nelson's flagship was £88,000, whereas the ■ cost of H.M.S. Hood was six and a half millions. "THE HIGHEST CONCEPTION.'* The League of Nations, said Mr. Atnioro, was the highest conception that had ever entered into the mind of man to aid in the attainment of universal peace. Alluding to the attitude of America to the League of Nations, the following statement by a prominent writer in the United States was quoted: —"The time lias come for Americans who believe in the League to speak out vigorously for American membership. We owe it to our pride and to our inlerest.to have full official representation at the great forum of international opinion at Geneva. Our voice should be heard at the meetings of the Council and the Assembly. The Leaguo was created by a groat American,- Tho time has come when, a great America should be proud to play its proper part in the further development of jthe .greatest political institution of our time." After referring to the splendid physiqire of the boys and girls in New Zealand schools, and particularly ia the secondary schools, Mr.. Atmore urged tho importance of inculcating in the minds of our youths high ideals, so that this country—which had been tho first to institute the old ago pension on a non-contributory basis —would in the future make further advances of a similarly progressive and beneficial character. , The objects of the League of Nations were then referred to, and the work it had done was mentioned, including the prevention of wars, repatriation, dealing with the white slave traffic, etc. A tremendous amount of valuable world work, ho said, had been done. He was pleased to say that in .New Zealand much had been done in popularising the objects of the League. He would be glad to do anything in his power to advance the objects and interests of the League. Votes of thanks were passed to the Minister of Education and to the chairman.