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Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1925, Page 2

I’i.anktaky patriotism with world knowledge is one of the striking points emphasised by Dr. David Star .lordan in his peace plan to lie presented at the International Teachers’ Conference at Edinburgh, Scotland, this year, and which the famous pacifist outlined recently in S'ui Frasci.sco before the international relations section ot the Commonwealth Club. Dr. .lonian also urges that a peace department he established with as much authority as the War Department in the l nited States, states the “San Francisco Chronicle.’’ This peace department will operate to eliminate the standing menace to peace. The plan hinges on seven committees. The first will lie a standing committee, which will act as a sort of clearing house for all I K'ace societies of all nations. The next step would lie to begin the teaching ot history in the light of peaceful achievement instead of heroic war activities and the teaching of planetary patriotism. Then ho would launch a great letter writing campaign, in which the children of one nation would correspond with the children of several other nations. In this way they would fie able to get something ~f cavil other’s viewpoints as they grew older. “There art I.v two countries in the world which are not organised for war,” Dr .lordan said. “These are Denmark and Holla ml. If we could bring about the organising of nations for peace it would bo a great step toward peace. There is no one tiling which can bring about peace and it cannot lie attained in a year or three years, or perhaps even a generation, but we can lie working toward it all the time. Rafael Herman, a resident of Hollywood, who Hod Germany just before the World War after he had made a few remarks about the Kaiser which were not complimentary, lbs offered £SOOO for the best working plan to attain world peace offered at the International Teachers’ Conference in Scotland, over which Augustus Thomas, head of the schools of Maine, will preside. He has also offered to hack up the working of the plan with a million dollars.

The Westland County Council elected its ‘Prime Minister” on Wednesday with very little ado about the matter. Mr T. R. Chestermau’s nomination found unanimous approval and that gentleman was elected unopposed. Mr Wells who retired front office was eulogised for his attention to duty during his term, and from the remarks passed on Mr Cliesterman’s accession to office it would appear lie will be

no less .successful. At nil events that gentleman liuule a very successful debut. He Ims had (considerable experience in the Count M new. hut what should stand him in good stead is the tact that, he knows the County well. .Air Chesterman is familiar with all parts of the district since his early days. Like Mr Wells, he is a native practically of the district, and has roamed over a good portion of the Westland territory. Several years were passed in South Westland, and a much of the development of the Council is centred in that locality Mr Chostermun’.s local knowledge should he of value to the local body. The County Council plays an important part in the welfare of the district, and the position at present seems to he eminently satisfactory. The local rate is to come down to one penny and a half penny or exactly half of the amount ruling in the neighboring <minty of drey. Considering the size if Westland County and the volume of traffic on the numorous roads, the ouuparis *!i is most favorable indeed to the district and tile rater avers no doubt appreciate the position accordingly. Mr Cliesterinan hail good wishes lor a successful term of office. With careful direction those wishes should ho fully realised, for it is apparent- that local affairs have been running very smoothilv of late years, and it is to he hoped they will so continue.