BARBAROUS WARFARE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 100, 8 April 1936, Page 15

BARBAROUS WARFARE

Italian Methods Against Abyssinia

NAPIER COUNCIL’S CENSURE Horror and indignation regarding tho use of poison gas and liquid flame in Abyssinia were expressed by Cr. A. C. B. Biggs at the April meeting of the Napier Borough Council on Monday, when on his motion the council adopted a resolution to urge the Government to voice the feelings of the Dominion and to instruct its representative at Home and at Geneva to advocate an appeal for the “strongest possible measures that are practicable, that will deter and prevent nation from using such barbarous methods of warfare in future.” “In presenting this resolution,” said Cr. Biggs, “I am aware that we represent only a small community in a comparatively small country, with a small population, but at the same time New Zealand occupies a proud position in the British Commonwealth, and her voice is heard in council both at Homo and Geneva. “We have all, I think, viewed with dismay the results of all the efforts put forward during the last 17J years to obtain peace throughout the world, efforts that have been made by tho leading figures of all nations and—judged by the present state of the world—that have led to a worse state than existed before the Great War. “Further, what is still more distressing is the fact that barbarous methods are still being used, more frightful than ever before, in spite of solemn obligations entered into that they should never be used again. Many of us will know from our own experience the results of poison gas and liquid fire, results that have a deadly and immediate effect, and in those that survive a terrible and permanent after-effect.” Cr. Biggs said that he believed that there was only one force that would eventually be successful in restoring peace, and abolishing the use of such atrocious weapons, levelled not only ■against unlikely forces, but against whole populations, irrespective of age or sex, and that was Ihe force of public opinion. “It is therefore with the hope,” ho said “that in our small way we may assist forward the great but latent power of public opinion throughout the whole world that 1 move this resolution •and sincerely trust that the Government of this Dominion will be ready to do its share in furthering that object.” The Mayor, Mr C. O. Morse: This is a very worthy thought. The motion was seconded and carried.