Traffic in Carnage

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7493, 18 June 1934, Page 6

Traffic in Carnage

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Some few months ago the writer was present during the screening of a moot arresting and thoughtprovoking picture entitled "Reunion.’’ It is one of those pictures the incidents of which arc' so effectively portrayed and arc of such intensely human interest that never so' long as one lives can they Ijg effaced from one’s memory. Tho war is ended—those who are left have to face that grim struggle associated with civilian life of to-day. By one—a hero who has fought in the defence of his Empire—that struggle has been experienced in all its cruel intensity, ai.d creating as it did a ‘situation far removed from what he might be justly entitled to expect, lie was compelled to inquire, as indeed are millions more to-day: “Is this what fighting for my country means?” Your recent editorial, "War Is Not Inevitable!” is timely and necessary, emphasising as it does the futility of the retention and uso of armaments in the establishment of world peace. tt is to bo hoped that many will thought fully read it aud that possibly something might result, from it to counter effectively "the stupidity which prevents everyone from seeing that greed and fear arc two of t.hc obvious causes of war and from correcting them in their various ‘manifestations throughout the world.” Greed and fear at present flourish m the fertile soil of present-day capitalism. Is it possible for the capitalistic system, through some reorientation, to rise to such heights as to remove: "om the world the greed and fear, the misery, the inhumanity, which disfigure the social life of the present-day communities? These'' things must be removed by this or some other system if ‘ ‘Peace on earth, goodwill to men,” is to be something other than a mere platitude. Unfortunately to-day the observation of a modern cynic is only too true: “Recent world developments suggest that the nations have created so much goodwill, amity, tolerance and brotherhood, that they must all arm to the teeth to retain it.” Clearly we have not yet made peace as dramatic as war, "What are the methods used the world over as an anodyne for that terrible moment when a community’s menfolk march down the streets to war?” inquires Hope Saunders in "Chatelaine.” "Bands that set the feet tapping and the pulses racing. Waving flags. The rhythmic inarching of men. Uniforms. Cheering. Mob enthusiasm.” Why not do something along these lines in the interests of peace? "Let’s have the flags of the world to wave not ours alone. Let’s have marching music—music of the peoples of the world. Let’s do everything possible to bring pageantry and life and colour into our work for peace. Why no! a ‘two minutes” prayer for peace at every church service, every Sunday, everywhere?” There must bo the insistent reiterated call if from the. world there is to bo outlawed that hideous, ghastly traffic in carnage—a traffic which knows no country, champions no humanitarian cause, but concerns itself with dividends, and dividends alone. I am, etc '’ HUMANITY. Palmerston. North, June 16.