International Peace

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 20, 10 February 1948, Page 5

International Peace

Motion Picture Series Makes Graphic Appeal Emphasis on the broad aim for international peace and goodwill by the Rotary movement throughout the world, was laid by Mr Frank Wise, president of the Gisborne Rotary Club in the course of an arresting address and picture screening in the St. John Hall, King Street, last Wednesday evening. Rotarian Wise, who with two other members of his club was engaged on a ‘goodwill tour’ of the Bay to mark the 43rd anniversary of the movement, provided a splendid selection of thought-provoking films for a deeply appreciative audience. The epic defence of the island fortress of Malta which endured over 2000 raids during the recent \yar, formed the basis of the first film. Heroic and stubborn as the nature of the islanders proved to be under the hail of death from the skies, their suffering, said Rotarian Wise, provided a fair sample of modern warfare before the discovei’y of atomic power as a weapon.

Of engrossing interest was the film.‘Atomic Energy’ which portrayed in simplified diagramatic form the method whereby the atomic power was first discovered and finally released. Pictures taken at Bikini Atoll during the experiments made last year showed all too clearly the terrifying extent and power of the blast. This was followed by the film ‘Man—One Family’ an idealistic portrayal of the world of the future should harmony and reason prevail in the precarious political state of the world today. The film struck at the Hitlerian theory of the Masterrace, and urged the spiritual brotherhood of all races as the only means to avert. disaster. Screening of the British Prime Minister’s speech at the opening of rhe first session of the United Nations in London was a fitting conclusion. The whole territory traversed by Mr Attlee formed the background to the picture, and the rise of Nazism, with its intolerance, greed and unprecedented oppression and cruelty was clearly shown. The course of the war, the rallying o the democratic nations to the cause of freedom; the Battle of Britain; the Normandy landing, glimpses of horror revealed at Buchenwald and other concentration camps; and finally victory, all served to endorse the title ‘And now—-the Peace.’ In all, the screening made a deep impression on those present and on the call of President Harry Warren for the Whakatane Rotary Club and Mr A J. Canning for the local branch of St. John Association Mr Wise was accorded a hearty vote of thanks by acclamation.