R.S.A. CONFERENCE OPENS

Chronicle (Levin), 28 May 1946, Page 4

R.S.A. CONFERENCE OPENS

-Press Association

INTERN ATI ON AL SCEN'E NOW DISAPPOINTING PRIME MINISTER'S CALL

Bv Telegravh—

WELLINGTON, May 28. Disappointment with the international scene which has followed upon the victory of the United Nations was expressed by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraserj to delegates at the annual conference of the N.Z.R.S.A., which opened in Wellington to-day. Mr. Fraser stressed the influence which members of the R.S.A. could have on the actions of their own country and the influence their country could in turn exert on the rest of the world in preserving unity in the new world organisation. "Peace has broken out," he said. "It is not a peace that gives satisfaction and it is not a peace that has crowned the victory as we would like to see it crowned. It is a peace of argument, a peace of contention and a peace that if the organisation of United Nations is not supported everywhere, and.in all countries, would inevitably lead to another tragic war, a more stupid one and one just as evil as that we have come through. It would be a quarrel and a tragic quarrel with atomic energy chained to the weapons of destruction." Saying it was very important that, thinking straight and independently, everyone should look the problems of to-day in the face, Mr. Fraser continued: "W7hat I-expect of returned servicemen is thoughtfulness and understanding of the problems as they are in our country to-day, our country's economic resources, the possibilities of production and the difhculties of manpower." These problems were great, because one could not stir up a nation and a world, turn the people from their normal avocations for years and expect things to resume smoothly and normally immediately. If criticism was reasonable and just, it had to be accepted, and things put right. If it was not reasonable, the best course was just to forget it.