SANCTIONS AND WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22406, 30 April 1936, Page 15

SANCTIONS AND WAR

Sir,—l cannot accept as correct Mr. C. W. H. Pickering's summing up of my attitude toward Abyssinia. The chief characteristic in his judgment is its selfishness, as contrasted with the noble unselfishness of the Good Samaritan in the Bible story. But I pass that by so far as I am concerned. Mr. Pickering quotes the example of the Good Samaritan as giving Britain an example of Christianity in action; and the conclusion he draws is that Britain should fight Italy in defence of Abyssinia. May I remind that gentleman that tho Good Samaritan only risked his own life and safety in aiding the wounded man on the road to Jericho. His action brought no peril to anvone but himself. Mr. Pickering's proposed action would be the beginning of a world war, bringing death, torture and ruin to millions of the peoples of Europe, while Mr. Pickering would remain in comparative safety 12,000 miles away. To me, such a proposal savours of cold-blooded inhumanity, as well as insane folly. When the League of Nations was first formed, no one more gladly welcomed it than myself—its ideals and purposes have always had my sympathy and support. What I have complained of was its utter helplessness to procure cither security or peace for any weak nation—and the grave danger of leaning on it, as the Abvssinians did, to give collective security. May T add, I have just listened with great pleasure to a splendid address by Dr. Polls, who championed tho cause of Abyssinia, with a clarity, and knowledge, not often heard. His story, although not intended as a criticism of the League of Nations, was a plain setting forth of the facts of history—and incidentally, of the utter failure of the League to a {lord those unfortunate Africans any security, collective or otherwise. Biit he said nothing to urge Britain to follow Mr. Pickering's policy of war. What he did plead for was that New Zealand should express its sympathy with a tortured people in a practical way, by helping the Red Cross Mission of humanity—the way of the Good Samaritan. I trust some effort will be made in that direction. Georges MacMtobay.