The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 8, 1936. THE PEACE MOVEMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1935, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 8, 1936. THE PEACE MOVEMENT

Tiikhe nave been many manifestoes declaring lor world peace, blit genuine as were the aspirations of the movement, it was not long before the stir created died down, and the world fell into its unsteady step again preceding uncertainly. The large meeting held in Albert Hall, however, appears to have had a more solid backing, and has rather stirred the nation, while an organisation is being created to continue the administration. But another symptom of the popular demand lor peace is the foregathering of exservicemen who are plighting themselves to interest the nations in world peace. No one knows better than the combatants what were the horrors and risks of war with modern equipment, high explosives and gases. The fact that former enemies are able to' unite on a common platform in the desire to secure a. better understanding between the nations, is an earnest of their convictions, and staged, such an international conference should have its effect on the leaders of the nationals. It is true that some of the leaders are so far independent of the masses in as much that they exercise a rule of the nature of a dictatorship, and arrive at their own decisions without consulting the views of the peoples’ representatives. Naturally in such eases they play a dangerous game, hut there are men prepared to take the risk, and pursue their own policy in the endeavour'to the hitter end. It remains in such instances to see how far the national following is behind them. But for' the achievement of a systematic peace which would be worldwide, the independent machinery of the League of Nations is the host instrument. Its object is known and appreciated, yet nations refuse to join in, and we have seen where one strong nations left the League because a vital decision did not fit in with it# policy. Another nation, growing stronger within itself, left the League because it could not attain the increased power it demanded. And the League has stood by, impotent to act excepting in aimless palavers, Still, confidence In the League is not dead yet. But there is a difficulty appearing on the horizon, where-

in if the League fails to secure an amicable, not say, a fair adjustment, confidence in its ability to achieve its aims will be shaken greatly. With some nations there it stll the will to assert might to attain ambitions, though they must realise the cost and odds involved. Some countries notably short of money, and over-ridden by unemployent, can yet put forward proposals for costly military developments on land, sea and air. At the same time they legislate for a state of universal conscription. With these matters in the air, it does not seem possible for the peace movement to progress to a profitable point. There is still lacking the co-operatve backing of then nations powerful enough to impose pence, and that seems the only way by which it may come. Still, every now and then there is a fresh grouping of international interests in trade, or finance, or other interest, and old ties and sacrifices go for nothing. A Frenchman read his countrymen a lesson the other day about their insincerity and lack of gratitude to those who had helped. Despite all that Britain had done for France, tho French people still show distrust in Britain and her aims, and past sacrifices count for very little. An instance such as this suggests the day of universal peace is still far removed, and wise nations will face the. facts; and plan for the possibilities of to-day.