"CHERISHED IDEALS"

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 74, 29 March 1938, Page 15

"CHERISHED IDEALS"

(To tho Editor.)

Sir,—My reply to "Albion Rover" is, firstly, that if the cherished things I now; enjoy under the Union Jack could be.retained only by the methods of modern war (which I dispute), then I should prefer to lose them. Secondly, I am notinithe least likely to "barter them away" or "to become a passive, helpless individual, without hope," even should freedom be denied to me. Thirdly, with regard to "the slaughter of; innocent and hapless people that is now taking place in various countries," one. of the reasons why I oppose war or "defence" measures is my desire ■ that such horrors should not be repeated here. "Albion Rover" mentions . the hapless Austrians, but, according to his views, Austria should have tried to defend herself and thus become a charnel-house like Abyssinia, or Spain, or China. If the Austrians remain- true to their cherished ideals these will outlive and outgrow and ultimately conquer any conceivable dictatorship or rule of force. The same applies to New Zealanders, and we should put our whole energies into the fullest expression of our cherished ideals. We should do far more both for ourselves and for the world in this way than by building up imaginary enemies and then expending most of our energies and resources in repulsing them; —I am, etc., .-. . A. C. BARRINGTON.