New Zealand’s Duty.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1922, Page 4

New Zealand’s Duty.

SIR JOSEPH WARD'S. VIEAVS. WELLINGTON, September 19. Since his return to New Zealand SiT Joseph AVard lias avoided interviewers but he consented to express his views on -the Near East situation.

“Naturally one’s first feelings wore of profound regret,” he said, “that before the. terms of the Great War were put into practical effect wo find ourselves suddenly confronted with a possible frcsli war between the nations our own included—that, to an extent greater than at any previous time in the world’s history, required many years’ peace to restore economic anil other conditions to enable the progress, development and restoration of the world to be effectively brought about.

“Yes, there it is. AVe are confronted with a menacing situation in the Near East, a situation which, if it is not arrested at its birth, may grow into a terrible conflict, the extent of which no one can foresee. If a war with all its horrors should prove to he unavoidable I have every confidence that the British Empire and the countries associated with it will, in tho end, prove victorious, biitT that in no way minimises tho fact that the victors and the vanquished must both suffer from the appalling horrors of such a war.

“Our greatest hope of preventing war is to show our enemies that we are ready and will, if necessary, resoIntely face all the disadvantages, misery and wretchedness that war must entail and this can only be hoped for by the wholtf Empire standing solidly together as one, ready, and willing to face whatever may he before it. Tt is the only practical way while negotiations for a settlement by the Imperial Government on behalf of the

Empire are being carried on, let us hope, in the interests of humanity, j suceessfullv. 1

‘‘The fanaticism that characterises the Tslnm population, which numbers some 80,000,000 is an element that is of a very disturbing nature. To what extent their fanaticism may carry them if negotiations for peace as between the Greeks and the Turks are

unsuccessful it is impossible to even conjecture. The moral effect of the most powerful combination of countries in tils world, the British- Empire on them will prove a powerful factor against starting a war and I hold the view that whether the British Government is right or wrong should not remit at present. “So far as New Zealand is concerned our clear duty at present is to hack the Imperial Government and do our duty as citizens of the Empire in every way in our power.”