PACIFISTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22243, 18 October 1935, Page 15

PACIFISTS

Sir, —Would Trooper Laing or some other supporter of armed force explain their conception of a test of manhood? It is perhaps unjust, I suggest, to say that anyone could "learn unmoved of women and children murdered from the air," etc. But if John Bull were to exert force, his young men could hardly avoid carrying out air raids and similar atrocities of modern warfare —what of their consciences? And if John Bull said "You know you cannot fight me, so stop while you are unhurt," surely the aggressor would immediately sot about making himself able to fight John Bull. So once more we are back at " the greatest lie of history"—if you wish for peace, prepare for war. Fidelis.

Sir, —Your correspondent "Would-be Pacifist," in common with many others, appears to be in sympathy with the pacifist's desire to secure, universal peace, but he "cannot follow the pacifist's point of view" and asks how else are we to prevent the bombing of women and children except by fighting. This was the plea put forward by many in justification of their support of the last war. Have we not yet learned from the result how futile such an attempt to secure peace by war is and must always be? Does W.C.P. really believe that the German people were anxious to murder Belgian, French and British women and children, or that British fathers and mothers were desirous of murdering German sons? No; the "women and children" cry is about worked out. Wars are not made by the "common" people } but are engineered by rival financial interests for the purpose of exploiting markets, natural wealth and spheres of influence for their own enrichment. This will continue until the economic system which makes this possible is replaced by a saner order of things. Our civilisation and peace is not threatened by barbaric nations, neither are barbario nations converted by war, but by service and sacrifice of devout men and women. War will never end war. It was once prophesied that the meek would inherit the earth. The prophet may have been mistaken, but if he was right such a consummation obviously cannot come by methods of war, but by all refusing to fight. G.A.G.