WOMEN AND PEACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23470, 6 October 1939, Page 11

WOMEN AND PEACE

DUTY NOT FULFILLED DEFINITION OF DEMOCRACY ADDRESS TO LUNCHEON CLUB Tlio charge that women had joined organisations which had as their object, the sending of young men awav in uniform, hut that they had not in such large numbers joined peace associations was made by Mr. Julius Hogben in nil address to members of the Women's Luncheon Club in the Milne and Choyce Reception Hall yesterday. Mr. Hogben was giving an address with two distinct aspects, in which lie dealt first with the definition of democracy and secondly with the responsibility of women in maintaining peace. "Women want two things—peace in the world and a peaceful world for our young people," said Mr. Hogben. "What, however, have women done in the past 18 months in New Zealand to work and speak and strive for peace? You have joined your organisations which are sending our young men away in uniform, but you have not in such large numbers joined your peace associations." Fighting for Freedom The speaker said he was convinced that if the women of this country and of every English-speaking country would for 12 months work and talk for peace in the world, they would influence the women of other countries, with the result that there would be no wars. "We are at war now," continued the speaker. "We liavo professed ourselves to he lighting for freedom and justice and we are sincere in our profession. As far as the young men of our community are concerned, I feel that they think more deeply and intelligently than the men of my generation, and L say that their decision at the present time will be based upon reason and not on the excitement of the moment. Women can do more than men for peace, for their influence is deeper and it is their duty to sec that the lamps of peace are made to burn so bright that their light will be unconquerable." Real Democracy

Dealing with the definition of democracy, Mr. Hogben said lie felt that Abraham Lincoln's definition of "government of the people, for the people, by the people" missed the essence of real democracy. A modern American writer had put it more truly when he had said that it was the fair and equal opportunity of all persons, regardless of race or nationality, religion or occupation, to share in the good things, material, spiritual and cultural, in this life and genuinely to participate in the economic and political decisions affecting theif mode of existence. The reverse of democracy was Nazism, but Herr Hitler was not the originator of this doctrine of power, which had been propounded by Machiavelli about -100 years ago. but which was now followed by Hitler. The club president, Miss Freda Brookes, presided, and extended a welcome to the speaker and to Mrs. Hogben. Songs were given by .Miss Patricia McLeod, and the hostesses were Airs. Gulliver, Mrs. H. Ellis and Mrs. N. Dixon.