The Wanganui Chronicle. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1945. ARE WORLD BARRIERS DOWN?

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 279, 26 November 1945, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1945. ARE WORLD BARRIERS DOWN?

QXLY when the nations of the world realise that there are really no barriers between them now will a firm ground be established for peace. Distance has been destroyed and with it communication and sound. Man’S inventive genius has spanned the world to such an extent that a whisper in Wanganui can be heard in Moscow, a decision made in Wellington can have immediate repercussions in Washington. Small though we are in this country, insignificant in that great game of world affairs on which we sometimes are too prone to pass judgment without being properly informed, we are, nevertheless, part of a much closer-knit world, and. because of that, all the more open to be affected by what that world does, affected not in due course but on the very day action is taken. The man who talks blithely of insulation to-day might just, as well use the word “isolation” and realise bow futile such a word is. We can no more “insulate” New Zealand than we can “isolate” her from the great, decisions and industry of a world which is moving rapidly either to some glorious haven of peace and goodwill, or io some frightful era of anarchy and lawlessness. As we look along those rows of crosses in the many plots throughou l the east and west, how we pray that the turning to be taken will be Hie right turning, not that which will lead into the fire, blood and suffering of a kingdom in which man is an animal and not n civilised being. if we take a wrong turning it will be because of “mistrust.” To many it will seem ironical that such a word should arise now. By all decent standards the nations which fought, the war should be true to name—“ United.” But we know, and can forcibly sense, that they- are not. They have been united to win a war. but. to-day they drift, apart because they mistrust one another, not only as to future actions but as to what motive they had in fighting the war. Basically a nation fights a war for two reasons—to increase power dr to live! Britain’s cause is as clear still in that respect as it ever was even at that, time when her Army straggled bloodily home from Dunkirk. Britain fought for self-preservation, and is fighting still for the same goal. So. too. did the United States fight, and Russia. They wanted their way of life as opposed to Hitler’s way of life-. To-day they fondly hope that, each will be allowed to go on living their own national, way of life. But. the world is a smaller place, made so by man. and all Ihc indications are that no one nation, no one race, can feel itself immune from the doctrines and beliefs of others. In effect national barriers have been broken down, but wo cling to them in matters of doctrine, religion, of standards of living, and very much so in an economic, sense. We still think in terms of British Imperialism, when we know that Imperialism had many, many faults. Yet. we want that Imperialism still, faults ami all. Russia ’naturally thinks in terms of her rise as a Soviet power. She has seen her country rise,.lo a pinnacle and her belief is that the code she rose by, ruthless though it may be. forged in revolution, blood and secrecy, is the one code to save the world and keep Russia intact. The United States has seen power grow from economic standards, the great, rush and race for the almighty dollar. Britain. France. Russia, the United States. China, Australia, New Zealand, every country in tiic world, is striving for peace at their price, never al. the price somebody else wants to assess for them. Yet in this great economic battle the barriers of nations are really down, but we won’t accept the fact. AVe each want our own way of life. and. because we want our own way of life, there will be war—economic, and grim Vecause of that, then bloody war again when economic straits force man back to that age-old law ol fighting, like the wolves of the forest, for food wherewith to live.

AYe do not relish looking al these things plainly, because they are not niee things 1o think about, and they are so shocking to our sense of values—so belittling of the very cause for which men died. It ms mil. please God. that men fight for food, surely? A et. that is what is happening. The barriers of nations are down in reality, but they are up economically as they have never been before. Alan still has money as his god. Money represents for him his old way of life. He ignores the sweeping forces that are abroad of his own making—atomic power heading the list—and calmly says lie wants to go on living as a nation. Only when men settle down and realise that the nations of the world are disappearing, were meant to disappear, only when there is world government in a. very real sense—world government founded in one language, founded on Christian principles, united in one body powerful enough to see those principles upheld, will there be a sound foundation for peace. And even then it will be but a foundation. Il the world is to go on with nations, each mistrusting the other, then war will come again, and yet again. Il’ there is a clash of ideologies as represented between East and AVest. and neither will accept something from the other that is good, and compromise, then AVest and East will meet in iy conflict. It is not a niee picture, hut it emphasises Io this very remote country, the problems facing the Preparatory ('ommission of th? I nited Nat ions now sitting in London. It is in effect the “cabinet” of a World Government, as yet in name. only.