ALLIED UNITY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21623, 8 April 1940, Page 7

ALLIED UNITY

Strong Force For Security Closer Educational Understanding British Official Wireless F.UGBY, April 5. Earl de la Warr, who is still visiting Paris as President of the Board of Education. although he has now become First Commissioner of Works in the New Ministerial changes, has signed a joint appeal with the French Minister of National Education (M. Albert Sarrant) to the children of France and Britain, emphasising tha* their countries are allied and united* by the closest bonds. The appeal continues that faced with a common danger. France and Britain are now one nation, and that it is more essential for the children of each country’ to get a better knowledge of school and family life, work and recreation in each other’s countries. Speaking at Sorbonne and emphasising his views on the cementing of mutual understanding and friendship between Britain and France. Earl de la Warr said: “In the schools one of our tasks is to teach history. To-day we have the opportunity of making it if we can secure the union of our people as well as of our Governments.” To assist to bring this about Earl de la Warr said, a permanent committee composed of representatives of the Board of Education and leading teachers, assisted by two distinguished Frenchmen from the Institute Prancaise in London, had been appointed. Their work, which had already begun, would be to keep this question constantly under review. At the same time arrangements had been made for the exchange of documents and films, and a series of leaflets giving advice and instruction to teachen. was being prepared. Special lectures will be sent round the country to the schools and an exchange of visits and short courses for teachers and students will be erganised between the two countries, even during the war. Already, he said, over 500,000 children were learning French in the schools. New Basis For Security “A greater understanding of the thought and habits of another great nation is the enrichment of the life that properly belongs to education, and I believe that the more genuinely w? pursue what is educationally sound, the sooner in fact, shall we attain our ultimate goal.” declared Earl de la Warr. “What is that goal?” he asked “It Is to give a new foundation to security in Europe. European and world cooperation are great ideals, but what hojie is there of bringing together the discordant elements of Europe unless we first bring closer to each other those who speak the same language? I mean the language of democracy. I know very well how diffeunt we are. Let us never be afraid to recognise our differences.” Referring to th_ war. Earl de la Warr mentioned the tremendous effort which Britain was now making. “We are throwing everything into the struggle —our country’, our Empire, our men. women, and money, and when, together, France and Britain have won the war. together they must continue in order to maintain peace. I look forward. incidentally, to the hour of trial when you. as a historic military Power, will feel able to pay the same tribute to the strength and efficiency of our Army as we. a naval Power, can today pay to the magnificent work of your Navy. “Must Be Ruthless” “In the past we have put far too little emphasis on the strength of democracy. We have seen It as being desirable and something good, but not sufficiently as something strong. Nor. indeed, has it always been so. Yet that surely is, or should be. its very essence that unity by conviction must be stronger after a lapse of twenty years. The lack of lead, imagination. and initiative has been too much

in the saddle of democracy. Vlshful thinking and illusions have been allowed to take the place of ideals. “The war. however, put an end to all this The democracies are now gathering their strength. We must be ruthless against our enemies, ruthless with ourselves and. If need be. with those who stand by hoping that England and France will save their freedom for them.”