THE PEACE CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 50, 23 November 1918, Page 8

THE PEACE CONFERENCE

Sir,—Probably few psople realise and fewer understand the tremendous gravity of the process the world is now passing through. Prior to tho outbreak of war ■i deadweight of pent-up feeling existed

between men, engendered and fostered by their relation to one another as members of organisations mid institutions set up to promote interests and benefits that in their varied nature and undeveloped stato were bound , to come into conflict and lest human qualities, .Notwithstanding what may be said to the contrary, these feelings exist to-day in an intensified degree. The absolute need of these higher qualities of heart and mind that so iar transtend the ordinary sordid materialistic qualities that inevitably produce distrust and confusion is surely apparent to many of us. Can it be that those under whoso regime the present debacle was created are vain and audacious enough to think that they are able, to get. us out of tho chaos in which they, have landed us? Their assumption- is outside the bounds of possibilih". While realising that the present generation of politicians are. as much use to tlie- difficulties before us .as so many schoolboys, it is essential to the existence' and welfare of society' that they should hold office until the direful, exigencies of human affairs ripen the minds of tho people for change. Hitherto it lias been supposed that society can be held together by an- elaborate system of perfunctory law, and that the spiritual forces in man need correcting to prepare him for an after-life only,- whereas tho truth is that this is essential to his enjoyment of life here, and .more so, to make him a Sit member of society. Bnt v.'ha'., puzzles me-is how men who have generated confusion, distrust, hatred and destruction are suddenly going to produce their opposites ky tadying words with one another, and transferring their arithmetical essence to paper. Truly, tlje present-day politician is a marvellous creature. Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward are itching to get away, from their obvious duties and join the vainglorious throng, and we accept their fiat without a murmur. Isaiah the prophet said; "Wheu the'people gave themselves up to evil ways, they were given children to be their princes and babes to rule over them," and whether the truth is palatable or not,- we have that condition to-day. Mr. Mnssey blames the Prohibition movement for preventing able men from entering public life, but there are other sources of contamination besides Prohibition, and tho frantic, futile efforts that are made to remedy polltical evils are worse than the evils theiniselvo3. ! Solomon, in his Proverbs, says of tho higher human attributes: "Because I have stretched'out' my hand and no man regarded it," etc, "I also will laugh at your calamity: I will mock when your 'fear comcth, etc," We may disregard and sue-rr .at necessary counsel and reproof for a time, but when the inevitable comes, how tragic are the wails or tho afflicted, and how majestic the hand thai! can help, but is withheld, awaiting a due measure of ronentance.— l am, etc., WJI. BAKU.

Sir,—The writer is impelled to do what lio rarely feels-called' upon, and that'is (o express a political opinion. It is tlwt the Press of tho Dominion should assert its voice .very loudly .that it is imperative that the leaders of the two great political parties should proceed at once to tho Peace Conference, even if a warship lias to bo requisitioned to enable them to do so. There can be no question that Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward are best qualified to speak, cm behalf of the vast majority of the people of this Dominion. Further, in conadera-. lion of tho great commercial and financial interests involved these two able men can .serve us iu a way that will rnoall millions of pounds to this country .—Lain, etc., •• LAMBTON QUAY. ,