CONTRA-DICTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 50, 18 February 1944, Page 4

CONTRA-DICTION

Sir, —Mr Nash has written a book, and according to the New York Times "Book Review" (The Herald 25/1/44) lie lias shown he can be most inconsistent and cryptic in his statements, which speak for themselves. The reviewer quotes Mr Nasli as saying in his book that "there? must always be v a point beyond which a State has no right to trespass." What does he mean by trespass of the State? Is it the Govern-, ment or the people, or our local policy, or what? Is the State a political taction placed in power for the time being by the accidents of a dubious electoral system? Whilst he leaves us 'in suspense we would like an explanation as to this word 'trespass.' The definition of the word might easily be transformed into the word, intrigue. Prior to this his last trip to America lie stated that after the. war we would have to come- under American domination, whereas in his book lie says "Ha the post-war world no nation should labour for another. There should be full self government where possible." Does he think there are elements of weakness in this country

that should, be regulated, from outside; we being part of the British Commonwealth are not prepared to forgo our sovereignty to any other nation; whilst he goes on to sajr that New Zealand for one small nation will insist on having a voice in her future; Avorld federation can-' not. be attempted just now, but— ''Why not," says Mr Nash, "take the United Nations and. give them political machinery and see whether a world organisation can grow out of it." Now is the time-, he says, to call a meeting of the United Nations to form one: Headquarters Wall Street, New York. This book is indeed ominous and depre-t ciates the writer. New Zealand under international jurisdiction wouldl be like the little bo.v and the soap bubble which was lovely whilst it lasted, but when it busted there was consternation; for the little boy. Mr Nash has written a book before in 1935 but in the first case Mir Nash's statements were not verified. Will his American effort still hold us in mid-air or maybe, hang us? Yours etc., W. BRADS!iAW.