AGAINST WAR

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 74, 9 March 1933, Page 9

AGAINST WAR

HASTINGS WOMEN’S LEAGUE RESOLUTION. SPEECHES AT YESTERDAY’S ‘ ‘ DEMONSTRATION. ’ ’ The Hastings Women's League held an anti-war demonstration in the Hastings Trades Hall yesterday afternoon, visitors being present from Napier, Havelock North, and Raupare, also a good number of Hastings residents. In the absence of the chairman of the league, Mrs. Jones opened the meeting by welcoming the guests, and explained that March 8, “International Women’s Day,” was the day on which the women of the world were celebrat ing the emancipation of their sisters in Soviet Russia.

Mrs. Jones then explained that the press was against them, detailed her experiences, and implored those present to denote their lives to spreading the anti-war gospel. “Solidarity for Ever. The Union Makes us Strong” was then sung by all present. Mr. Sear, secretary of the Napier branch of the “ No-More-War ” Movement, apologised for the absence of Dr. Gibb, who had to speak in Masterton on that date. Mr. Sear then read a paper dealing with the origin of the white feather. Persons receiving white feathers should take it as a compliment, he said, as it was an emblem of courage to do the right thing and, in the face of a hostile environment, disarm. “The present picture,” he continued, “is like a group of people, every one of whom holds a loaded revolver at the ready in his hand, ail afraid of one another, and all com plaining of their disagreeable position. As all are complaining of the same one thing the intelligent thing would be to throw away the revolvers, and so relieve themselves of their burdens. But this proposal Is countered by the suggestion that they throw away the revolvers provided an atmosphere of universal trust and security is first established. This simplified example shows how childishly unreasonable is such a proposal; but it is only unreasonable if you accept the view that genuine equality of position exists in a company of armed men and their victims. One can understand that for the strong, disarmament is an unwelcome business, because it will reduce the difference between them and the others. And if to this bo added that war industries yield enormous pro fits, the position becomes understandable.”

The following motion was then put and carried: “That this meeting called together for the purpose of demonstrating against war, pledges itself to work in every possible way against war and the preparation of war, and is firmly convinced that the only safe-

guard against war is Socialism, which is practical Christianity.” Only two persons dissented. The “Women’s Peaoe Army Song” was then sung by all present. , Afternoon tea ended the meeting. Next Thursday at 2.30 the next “Happy Afternoon” will take plaoo. Leagtte members are reminded that a meeting takes place to-night at 7.30 at 211 E Queen street, Hastings.