PEACE IDEALS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 November 1923, Page 5

PEACE IDEALS

LORD BIRKENHEAD’S ADDRESS THE LEAGUE BELITTLED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, November 8. Lord Birkenhead, in a striking Rectorial address at Glasgow University, on the subject of “idealism m International Politics,” said that wars were likely to occur in the future as in the past. The framers oi the League of Nations forgot human nature as absurdly as they n?gl»-cted the history of all idealists. Jesus was the most pre-eminent but it was unreasonable to suppose that when He admonished the assaulted to turn the cheek to the smiter, or rhe rich to sell possessions and give to the poor, that He was laying down standards of conduct which He either expected or desired to see generally adopted. On the contrary Jesus was diffusing through the medium of a metaphor, a sweet, beautiful moi al atmosphere for the purification of imperfect mankind. Politically and philosophically, the motive of self interest not only is, but must be, the .minspring of human conduct. The experience of thousands of years has shown that the desire for self advancement is the only adequate incentive for achievement of the standard of labour which each individual may be required to contribute to the common scheme Undeterred by the shattering repudiation of their beliefs which the world war had brought about, the idealists had originality to exploit the outbreak of war for their own controversial purposes. They admitted the war was unfortunate, but said that it had a bright side, as it was a war to end war. A larger claim made on behalf of the League of Nations always seemed to him fantastic. What was . the influence spread by Christian religion over the recent world convulsion * (Why did the Omnipotent Diety suddenly doom so many innocent victims to bestial destruction? Did the greatest priest in the world enthroned in his Roman palace ever pronounce an intelligible conclusion on the moral responsibility for war? Was.he influenced by the fact that his flock had diverged beneath different standards? If so, he ceased to be the divinely appointed mouthpiece of the higher morality, and took his place aniong politicians. We must learn from history that no warrant exists for the belief that human nature has altered its whole character. From the dawn of time, man has been a combative animal, the world continues to offer glittering prizes to men with stout arms and sharp swords, and it is for martial people like the British, to abstain from provocation but to maintain in our own hands adequate means for our own protection, and being so equipped, to march with head erect, and eyes bright along the road of our imperial destiny.

ITALY AND LEAGUE. BETTER UNDERSTANDING. LONDON, November 9. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Rome correspondent states: The greatest interest has been taken in the visit of Sir Eric Drummond to Rome and his long conference with Premier Mussolini. There has been no very friendly feeling in Italy towards the League of Nations since the Janina and Corfu incidents. It is understood that, following on mutual explanations, Signor Mussolini declared himeslf ready to take a renewed interest in the League of Nations as an International organisation for peace, and he will see that Italy becomes an active and useful member and not -an absentee. Sir E. Drummond, in a subsequent interview with the Press, said Signor Mussolini emphasised the point that Italy required that her position as a Great Power should be more adequately represented within the League organisation. Sir E. Drummond added that Italy complained that she' has not only been badly represented on the Commissions of the League but also there are hardly any Italians even in subordinate posts, with the result that it was feared that a somewhat anti-Italian atmosphere had been created. S'r E. Drummond said he naturally protested that this could not be the case, but lie promised to recommend a more equitable distribution of the posts in future. His explanation has been favourably received by the Italian press.

A DOMINION EFFORT, » (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 7. “It is nothing less than our duty to support the League of Nations.” In these words Mr L. T. Watkins epitomised the attitude of a meeting of prominent business men, held to consider the question from a business point of view, and to hear an address by Mr L .L. Grimwade. Among those present were Sir Francis Bell, ActingPrime Minister, president of the Dominion branch of the League; the Rev. Dr James Gibb, president of the Wellington branch; the Mayor, Mr R. A, Wright, and many others. “As you are aware, Mr Grimwade is lecturing in New Zealand on the League of Nations,” said Mr Wright. “He has done good work in Auckland, and is touring New "Zealand at his own expense.. He is very sincere and earnest in his advocacy of support of the League of Nations. After his addres, Mr Grimwade suggested that they should work under the following heads : Deputation to the Press to request greater' publicity for the work of the League of Nations; arangements for the issue of a small edition of a booklet with the Wellington Town Hall and coat-of-arras and names of committee; appointment of “business men’s committee,” with convener to work as auxiliary to the League of Nations Union; mass meeting of citizens within the next ten days; appointment of a sub-committee to consider what cables (if any) should be despatched to Mr Massey, Lord Robert Cecil, and the President of the United 'States of America; arrange essays for boys and girls under 16, prst prize £3, second £2, third £1; appoint sub-committee to report on advisability of publishing a “book of appreciations” by 100 or 150 representative New Zealanders ; arrange financial support for League of Nations Union in order that a paid organiser for the Dominion can be started at once. This was essentially work which .should be done at Wellington. “Wellington ought to be very interested,” said Sir Francis Bell, “in aiding the work of ahe Leaguet. Of course, you understand, I am speaking rather as president of the New

Zealand branch of the League than as the representative of the Government, but even as the representative of the Government T feel the' importance of the question brought before us by Mr Grimwade. If measures are taken to arouse public interest, as well as the Government, a good service will have been done. The obj’ect of the League, after all, is to bring not only peace, but goodwill among men.”