The Timaru Herald SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1938 THE PRICE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW-BREAKING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20966, 19 February 1938, Page 10

The Timaru Herald SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1938 THE PRICE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW-BREAKING

So much talk has been indulged in by official and unofficial Americans in relation to the attitude of the

people of the United States to the conflict in Spain and to the undeclared war Japan is waging in China, that it is difficult at the moment to interpret with any degree of accuracy, real American opinion. Within the past few days, however, two sections of opinion have voiced their views on the American neutrality law in its application to the wars in Spain and China. For instance, Senator Nye, who plays an important role in American political life the other day accused President Roosevelt of refusing to invoke the Neutrality Act to apply to the Far East, because of pressure from trade interests. This protest was followed a day or two later by the announcement that sixty prominent persons, including a former Secretary of State and a former American Ambassador to Berlin are urging Congress to make the neutrality law inapplicable to Spain on the ground that the present

policy is assisting the insurrection and prolonging the war. It is a grave mistake, of course, to assume that the American people have not been stirred by the unpardonable recklessness of the Japanese and their persistence in tactics which are bound to result sooner or later in a repetition of “delicate incidents.” But it would be unjust to accuse the Presdient of the United States of a surrender to trade interests in the policy being pursued by the Washington Administration. The difficulties are by no means small. It can be said, moreover, that the general feeling in the United States is one of intense resentment which may easily develop into a desire for rigorous retaliation if further incidents should take place. Even as it is, however, the unofficial boycott against Japan is becoming more popular in the United States and more damaging to Japanese trade interests. It is realised, nevertheless, that there is nothing more certain, than that the United States is not a warlike people, and the position of the President is made more difficult because of the deep-seated and wide-reaching sympathies with foreign countries reposing in the cosmopolitan make-up of America’s population. Gradually, however, harsh truths are being forced upon the free peoples of the world. The democracies do not want war, indeed their citizens abhor war. But they realise they must not close their eyes to the fact that the world contains people who are not only less peacefully minded than themselves, but who are arrogantly aggressive and utterly sceptical of solemn obligations imposed on them by treaties. Official America is not blind to the significance of recent events, and the President has not been idle. Since signing the Nine Power Peace Treaty, Japan, by taking advantage of the reduced navy of the United States and the unfortified state of the American bases at Guam and Cavite, has broken every one of her promises either in Manchuria or in China proper. And while there are American citizens —and citizens in other countries, too —who are so naive as to think that Japan desires the friendship of any Western people, the leaders of the great democratic countries—in spite of fierce criticism—are determined to make it clear to Japan either by moral and diplomatic pressure or by the actual hold-up of war supplies or credits, that international law is still operative and that no nation can continue to violate its solemn obligations and retain everyday relations with its customers and keep the good will of self-respecting nations. GOOD WISHES TO THE TIMARU BANT). Supported by the good wishes of all sections of the community, the Timaru Municipal Band will take its departure to-day for the north to participate in the New Zealand Brass Bands annual contest. It is a far cry indeed since Timaru brass bands first entered the annual contests for championship honours. Since 1882 the Timaru Band has established a proud record, indeed. Under the leadership from time to time of many distinguished conductors, the Timaru Band has always been regarded as a combination that has, down the years, attained and maintained a high standard of musical excellence. So much so, that although championship honours have not often been won, the high standard the Band has maintained over more than half a century of contests, has won for conductor and bandsmen many notable successes in test selections. Last year, although unsuccessful in its quest for championship honours, the Band succeeded in gaining the highest aggregate marks for music in the whole of the selections. The Band has a proud record to maintain, and interest in its performances in this year's contest will be quickened because of the change in leadership that has taken place since last year’s contest. Conductor and bandsmen can be relied upon to give of their best, and no community can ask more. The Band will make every endeavour to maintain the fine record and high traditions associated with the organisation for more than half a century of contest work. And a host of enthusiastic supporters among all sections of the community will wish the Band well in this year’s contest work.

ROOM-SPACE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS. Because of the vital importance of adequate class-room accommodation in primary schools, the protest of the Auckland Board in relation to the decision of the Minister and the Department of Education to tackle this big issue in the building of new schools, came as a shock to the educational world. The Auckland Board offers objection to the Government’s planning of improved schools, because it was considered that the funds that would be absorbed in making more generous class-room space for young school children could be put to better use. Doubtless the Auckland Board means well in its criticism, but we have yet. to learn of any more pressing need facing the New Zealand educational authorities today I han improved class-room accommodation. The Canterbury Education Board does uot support the Auckland opinion. Doubtless it will be said that the need of the day is smaller classes, but until adequate accommodation can be provided, and hundreds of new teachers trained, the coming of this most desirable reform will be delayed. To-day modern educational methods require more roomspace her pupil, and it is certainly adopting a shortsighted view to insist that the provision of larger class rooms ought to be delayed pending the provision of more pressing needs, because there are no more pressing needs! Because the Government through the Public Works Department seems to have unlimited millions available, no one who is really interested in the welfare of school children should offer objection to the expenditure of substantial sums in providing adequate classroom space, in the reconstructed and newly erected primary schools.