PEACE AND WAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19615, 20 October 1925, Page 6

PEACE AND WAR.

WHERE NEW ZEALAND STANDS PRIME MINISTER’S VIEWS. SELF-PROTECTION ESSENTIAL. 4 (From Our Special Reporter.) DARGAVILLE, October 18. A speech which should make it clear to all where New Zealand stands in regard to local and Imperial defence was delivered 1../ the Prime Minister at Te Kopuru this afternoon on the occasion of his unveiling of a war memorial. Mr Coates declared that while this country was eager for peace and welcomed all efforts to that end, adequate defence precautions would not be neglected. “It is right,” said tho Prime Minister, “that such records as these memorials should bo kept of tho men who went to the front when honour was threatened and peace in the world was no longer possible It is gratifying that the people see fit to perpetuate the mergpries of those who fought. It is just over 11 years since, on August 4, 1914, the war began. I remember it well, for it was my wedding day. We hear a lot about the peace of nations and of doing away with defence. We hear a lot respecting the bringing about of an international understanding, and to that ideal I think we all subscribe. All are anxious to see Ihe day when tho nations will come together in regard to difficulties and misunderstandings and have their differences settled by arbitration. We have not got that far yet. It must be the definite objective of every man or woman who is in a responsible position to do all possible to bring about the realisation of that’ ideal. AVo all agree with it, but there are other things, too, to consider. It is necessary for every self-respecting country to be able to protect its people and its institutions. Every self-respecting nation will see to that till the ideal is reached. Did we go into the last war to gain territory? Was it through greed or to capture wealth? No. You will find that the efforts of the British nation have always been on tl)o side of peace. Our race has clone more for the peace of the world than any other race upon the face of the earth. That is.something to be very proud of. We hat© war and we believe in living and letting live, but don't let that carry you top far. . 1 cannot imagine a man who will take a blow and then turn the other cheek.- I cannot imagine a man who will let another wreck his house without attempting to prevent it. That is not the spirit of our people. If our country is worth anything at all it is worth a reasonable amount of protection. No one wants the country to go mad about defence, but everyone should agie© that there should be tho nucleus of an organisation which, if necessary, can ho called into operation against anv raiding party or other foe. No, the British are not a warlike people, but it was for the honour of the Motherland and of our own country that we had io come into tho war. If we had not carried out our part of the contract we might, forever have hung our heads in shame. Now Zealand did its part nobly and has nothing to regret, and here we are to-day a, free people, a free nation offering opportunities which probably are greater than tho opportunities offered by any other nation of the earth. There are rumblings in the world and wo have to be very careful they do not make Biich headway as to threaten the very institutions wo are so apt to boast about. It is up to us, and every ,one of us, to see that we give no cause for any section of our community to bo able to say that through suppression or neglect something has happened to give ripe to such a movement. What trouble there is to-day is not British, hut comes from other countries. The trouble is amongst us and I hope that no one will give cause for it to develop and white-ant our nation or onr country. Tho security pact is an effort to bring about complete peace in Europe, and could there bo a more practical way of securing peace there? After the war New Zealand for the first time was able to take an active part in such matters, and we are now informed daily of all things concerning the agreements that are being-discussed by the British Emoire. Wo have risen to a position we did" not think of prior to the war. and to-day we are reckoned an important part of the commonwealth of nations which forms the Empire.”