ONLY BEGINNING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27197, 28 September 1949, Page 6

ONLY BEGINNING

WORK OF THE PEACE FEDERATION REPORT OF CONFERENCE PA WELLINGTON, Sept. 27. The following statement is issued by the New Zealand Peace and Anti-con-scription Federation through the national secretary, Mr A. Keesmg:— “A special conference was held in Wellington on Saturday and Sunday last, when delegates trom all parts of New Zealand attended, representing district councils and branches in both islands and trade union affiliations and other organisations.

The president, Mr A. Monteith, in his address, emphasised that the work of the federation, far from ceasing with the referendum, was in fact only beginning. The World Peace Federation would have much to do in the coming months in connection with the Military Training Bill and its implementation. The movement would endeavour at all times to ensure the civil liberties of the people were safeguarded. and that the interests of those who objected to conscription were at all times protected. The provision of adequate counsel or representation on behalf of applicants for exemption would be undertaken by the federation. “The conference unanimously en-dorsed-a resolution that the following protest be forwarded to the Government and the press: ‘The New Zealand Peace and Anti-consc7*iption Federation is gravely concerned about the sending of New Zealand troops to the Far Fast. This will be construed by the Chinese as a hostile act, and in view of the Prime Minister’s statement during the conscription campaien that China was menacing us, we consider the present action to be inconsistent and likelv to promote antagonism rather than peace.’ “The conference also, condemned tne Government for its conduct of the referendum in a further resolution as follows: ‘The federation desires to register an emphatic protest against the unwarranted and unauthorised use oi public moneys and services to prejudice opinion in the recent dum. The federation believes that the responsibility of conducting a poll is the only lawful obligation of any Government, and that a need exists for amending the legislation to prohibit this or any other Government from utilising public f”nds to present one side only of a referendum issue.' "The coherence unanimously resolved to affiliate with the World Peace Congress and the United Nations Association.

“As a result of current press statements regarding Russia’s possession of the atomic bomb, it was resolved: ‘ ‘r hat this organisation again urges the New Zealand Gove*nment to advocate through UNO that world Powers outlaw the use of atomic weapons and other forms of mass destruction.’ ”