SUPERINTENDENT'S LETTERS.

White Ribbon, Volume 41, Issue 482, 18 November 1935, Page 2

SUPERINTENDENT'S LETTERS.

PEACE DEPARTMENT. Pleas* • \«»|e! May I once again draw your attention t ) this department and stress its importance. **speciall> at the present time, when war is in its initial stages, and when the League of Nations is doing its utnukst tor- the restoration of peace and the building up of international gtMNiwill and conciliation. This year, as I have mentioned Ik*fore, l have r drained from pressing the question t<*o urgently upon your attention knowing that all m»*nilH*rn are. or should Ikj, fully occupied with work for the pod. Next Near, however, we should fact* our responsibility in this all-important problem. We must ask ourselves, as women of goodwill, what we each intend doing to help put an end to war, to find some other and saner means of settling In ternational disputes Those disputes which arise almost entirely from economic and financial causes or from racial antagonisms. Tlie demand for territorial expansion, spheres of influence, economic concessions, the control of harbours, railways and rivers in other people's property are rooted almost entirely in national economic needs, or the quest of capital for more profitable Investment. These, and allied con side ratio is, have proved in the j*ast the most prolific source of aggression and unjust treaties, leading as they invariably do to irritation and resentment and finally' to war. Mrs. Field is quite right m her contention that if “th** spirit of our l.ord Jesus Christ were* in the- hearts of all men everywhere’” then peace would follow as a natural consequence. On the* other hand, as the* Archbishop of CanleibuiN has recentl) said, “Justice must come* first before peace is |*ossible ” l*e*th the Old and the New Testaments hold definite teaching on the

spiritual significance of this statement and its world-wide implications. What, then? Does it not behove- u> am Christian women, citizens ;;n<! niothei i, to find a definite liackgioun and purpose in our studies for pea< and as purt of that liackground to inelude a search into those, things which cause injustice between the nations For first and last it is only by understanding, goodwill and just ro-opemtioi that lasting peace can i*e attained. Before w*- women can either work m pra> effectively for peac e- we must tr\ to understand me forces working against it, and help with their removal We all know, but do we fully realis* that the nations of the world are Incoming more inter-dependent every day that passes, that the essential one-ness of humanity in its needs and desires makes this imperative? An th** years pass each country hu> t<» depend more and more on every othc i country for its very existence. Therefore, m an age developing along then* line's, the free* movement of raw material and manufactured goods; easily available transport and markets; intellectual and political co-operation art* essentials of decent lln mg. Moreover, they arc the very material out of which international and diplomatic relations ar> woven. Surely then it is obvious that while any one nation or group of nations is seeking to monopolise raw material or markets, while any ruler is tr' -ng to take by force from another all the te rritory he thinks he needs for colonial expansion. Nvhile tariff walls and quotas are preventing the worlds abundance of good things from reaching those- who need them most, and while the stronger nations, for their own ends, are staking claims in the land and resources of the Nveaker. and through unjust treaties, extra territorial lights and military occupution. taking possession of railways, harbours and rivers that do not rightly t*elong to them that peace is impossible. either between the nations or in the hearts and lives of mem and women. It may not he* easy for all of us to study historical and contemporary facts relating to the foregoing conditions: but at least we can read our daily papers and magazines and follow history in the making as events move on in the world to-day. Eve nts more- charged with significance and promise than at any other age* we know of—events which visualise tinconcept of a world fr**c* from armament'and war. where justice, mercy and lon** rule in the- hearts of men. In our searc h for all this we have our orders in Micah vi S. and in Christ's teaching from beginning to end. Moreover, wc have now a rallying i*oint. a centre for the* pooling of tile world's l>e.xt thought, highest ambitions, for its constructive ideals, a pathway to peace, in the league of Nations. That league will l*e a success or ;* failure just as we choose to make it so. Just so soon as we stop our destructive criticisms ot it. and

work to create in our own and other people's minds ami hearts the desire for Its success will it succeed, and not till then, in bringing peace through the spirit of the. Covenant. If through inertiu and un-wisdom we allow it to fail, then are we guilty of frost luting a great adventure w hich through faith and prayer is striving for birth in the world to-day. Finally. let ns never forget that our duty *r, to do what we can to ensure that justice is done to all; not justice |nr Abyssinia alone, hut also for Italy; not for China only, but for Japan as well, for France surely, but also for tiermany. Should our own great empire have to lead the way by sacrifice, then let us help her to take up and carry the ‘'Cross of Peace” where so ever it may lead, for it can but pass by the way that Christ Himself trod. ELIZABETH H. TAYIjOR, l»om Supt. for Peace. (In the next issue of the “White KibIx>n” some useful U>oks and publications on the Peace question will I* listed in tins column. K.8.T.) BIBLE IX SCHOOLS. lH*ar Comrades, — I am looking forward with keen anticipation for your lepoits of work accomplished this year for the Bible in Schools. There is so much one can do. Will you, wherever possible, get in touch with the local Bible in Schools League and work whole-heurtedly together? We are busy tn Auckland interviewing prospective Meml*ers of Parliament. We want to know where they (and on this momentous question. Ma> < ;<><] bless every effort made and guide us in all our work for the extension of His Kingdom Wishing you all a Happy Xmas and a very good New Year. Sincerely yours, MAKOARHTT C. COOK. (l»om. Supt. Bible in Schools league.) HOME AND MOTHERS' MELT I NOS Dear Sisters, — Will the Cnion Secretaries i*e kind enough to send me their repoit of the Home Meetings which have been held ■ Hiring the year, and bow many new ivemiiers gained by these meetings, and iny item of interest? Kindly forward by De< endiet list so that they may be included in my lh>minion report. This is a time when each of us should fervently pray that “Our f»od. our help in Ages past” will lie very near to us tnd is* our Helper during the next few weeks. May we have faith and use to the uttermost our talents to bring uliout His will at the coming poll, and may Hate the ihmmht which taints the soul. Cry to (Jod to make us whole. And to cleanse the inward parts. From which ull the evil starts.

Watch and pra> each day and hour, Seek the Saviour's strength and power. I ‘urifled as He is pure, Tlu)* we to the end endure." With loving greetings. Yours in the good tight. E. P. CHISHOLM. (lH>m. Supt. for Home and Mothers Meetings.) DOMINION "PRESS" DEPARTMENT. Dear "White Ribl>on" System, The usual questionnaire has been sent out to euch Union, and a prompt reply from the Superintendents or Secretaries will l*e very gladly welcomed, not later than Decemlier It Ist. Trusting for u very satisfactory response again this year. Heliexe me. with love and kind Xmas greetings. Yours for (lod, Home and Humanity, EM M A TKEVURZA. (Dominion Press Superintendent.) SOCIAL AND MORAL HYLIKNK (Jt’HSTIONNAIRE. I should glad if all Unions will send in replies not later than November 30th. 1. Has your Union purchased any of the special literature for sale at Headquarters? 2. Has any l>een distributed to tin* mothers of Cradle Roll and L.T.L. members? 3. Has your Union arranged for a doctor lady or nurse to give talks to girls and mot hers? 4. Has your Union shown any interest in tile exhibition of post vrs on the hoardings in the town or district? 5. Has your Union provided any suitaide tlooks to lend to menders, or to read to children as Insl-tinn-stories —such as Edith Howe s "Cradle Ship" or "Deter and Veronica"? 6. Has your Union appointed a Superintendent for the departments for Social and Moral Hygiene? Mrs. S. K. IiOWRY. Supt.. 34 Hackthorne Road. Cashmere Hills, Christchurch.