KEEPING THE PEACE

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 26 May 1932, Page 2

KEEPING THE PEACE

PLEA FOR UNSELFISHNESS. BISHOP ADDRESSES SYNOD. “The cancellation of war debts would perhaps do more than anything else to bring about a financial and industrial revival,” said the Bishop of Wellington, the lit. Rev. .Dr. T. H. Sprott, in opening the Wellington Diocesan Synod on Tuesday afternoon, reports the “Dominion ” The Bishop made an appeal for a sympathetic view of the work of the League of Nations. He pointed out that the League could deal with a recalcitrant member by imposing an economic boycott, taking combined military action, or by expelling the covenant-breaking party from the League. It was probable that under existing world conditions the League either could not or dare not resort to any of these penalties.

HAS THE LEAGUE FAILED?

“As things are at present, it would seem that in the first great test the League has failed,” said his lordship. •‘lt is to be hoped that even yet it will regain some of the lost ground, but the present situation seems to be as i have stated. Wiien the creation of the League was first suggested, there were influential personages who scoffed at the idea. There are not wanting influential voices now to call for its abolition. I think that would be a tragicmistake. It would mean the abandonment of the noblest constructive effort of our day. It would mean the whole world falling back into the pre-war view of international relations, namely,that every nation regarded every other as a potential enemy. It would strengthen immensely the fatalistic conviction, hitherto so widespread, that war is inevitable, that it is deeprooted in the constitution of human nature and in the conditions of earthly existence, and. that, as there have always been wars, so there always will be wars as long as the world lasts.”' AMERICA’S DECIDING POWER. The Bishop remarked that it was probably true that the decisive word regarding the cancellation of war debts rested with the United States. Although there was no certainty that the United States would consent to entire cancellation in any circumstances, it seemed to be understood that the question would not be considered at all unless the European nations effected drastic reduction of armaments. The Bishop continued: “The action of Japan and the inability of the League to deal with it must give the nations furiously to think whether it is prudent to reduce armaments to a 113 appreciable degree. Who can tell whether some other powerful member of the League may not stir up war ? Distrust, suspicion and fear will be-J come rife. We know that the Disarma-j ment Conference, when it first inetf some months ago, immediately 7 adjourned on account of the Sino-Japanese trouble. It is again sitting, but does not seem to be making much progress, and it is not likely that any drastic reduction of armaments will be effected. Should this be the result, may it not indefinitely postpone the return of financial prosperity-.” GIVE JUSTICE.

His Lordship said a little thought would show that if every man and every nation were more concerned in giving justice than in receiving it, in the end all would receive their just rights. Out of a clash ci rights, whether concerning men or nations, no stable position and no justice could ever come. •His Lordship added: “Such a clash simply means the triumph of the stronger—the victory of might over right. It requires, no doubt, perfectly moralised men and perfectly' moralised nations for the higher state of things to obtain; and truly we are far enough removed from that condition—-how far removed the present state of the world shows. It is the ideal toward which we must strive, and the nearer we approximate to it the nearer shall we come to a solution of our national and international troubles.”