The Waikato Times. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1938 TASKS OF THE NEW YEAR

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20693, 31 December 1938, Page 6

The Waikato Times. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1938 TASKS OF THE NEW YEAR

3.. Hlsto U v "' llJ rec ‘ord the year that closes to-night as one of the lt oi I ? Cent llmes > ilnd few will hear the midnight bells with • °\ e ldt t 1L ‘ \ ear las gone. Humanity has little cause for pride ie cients ot the past twelve months, and if' common sense has rr,iL b r n .. eXtIU 5 UlShed alt °S cther the resolve must be to make a deter- . art ni U t’eeord a different story in the new year. It has een a period of constant alarums, tragic disorders and aggressions, an 0 prodigious wastes in warlike preparations. International q cency has given place to a modern barbarism in which might has i lump led o\er right. Human suffering has been strangely out of proportion to Die advancement of knowledge and to the potential capacity tor the enjoyment of life. The Christmas spirit of peace cm earth and goodwill toward men was an anachronism in a world distraught with man-made evils.

, The failure of a great ideal gave rise to the international tragedies of 1938. Disloyalty to the League of Nations and the 'ing away of nations which sought a short-cut to national expression or the seizing of power under the leadership of a single man upset the balance and caused each nation to contract upon l.se . Aggies-sion and retaliation cut the lines of communication, barred the channels of trade, fomented national hatreds and divided tie world into warring camps. Violation of economic laws led to uman violence. and the outrages of 1938 were no credit to a modern civilisation. It may be claimed that the nationalist movements in Europe sprang from the injustices of Versailles, but the answer is

that had not personal dictatorships intervened the League of Natiqns provided adequate machinery for the settlement of all disputes. Black as the year’s record is, however, there are signs that the turning of the year may witness a turning of the tide of international affairs. Much has been done by the democratic Powers to bring their armed strength into alignment with that of the European dictatorships. Sad commentary on human stupidity that it is, rearmament was the last hope of preserving peace in the face of determined aggression. The democracies have time and resources on their side, and there are indications that the pace is becoming too hot for the dictatorships. It is rumoured that Herr Hitler in January will launch an appeal for international disarmament which, if it is well founded, is a sure sign that he sees no hope of outdistancing his rivals in armed strength. The prospect of becoming the saviour of world peace, which he undoubtedly holds in his hands, may yet prove a strong attraction to the German dictator, who indeed has the opportunity to become a greater world figure in the making of peace than in forcing a destroying war. Events in America also have weighed in the balance on the side of peace. The declaration of unity and defensive* alliance among the 21 republics is no inconsiderable factor in the world situation. Another reassuring feature is that had the dictatorships intended to strike they would surely have struck before the democracies had gathered their strength. The task of 1939 will be to increase international understanding and goodwill, to promote the flow of trade, to confer amicably on injustices that remain and to give rein to the essential common sense of the common peoples.