The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1929 THE PRICE OF PEACE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 651, 1 May 1929, Page 8

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1929 THE PRICE OF PEACE

IF an ambassador of peace from another world were to attend I the Geneva conference on preparatory disarmament an ask the delegates to explain their nations’ views on the danger of war they all would answer with an enthusmstm gratitude th none of them had enemies and no one to feat. And it the dsro shed envoy sought to know why each of th* =P aJo™ m this world was spending any sum from t° ovei €100.000,000 a year on armaments and potential fishing the replv would be that each nation merely was maintaining a standard of defence compatible with safety. It is reasonable to sav that none but the stranger among the delegates would believe that the international responses appeared to be •itnnid The real answer, of course, is nothing more or less man rhe P old truth that human nature has not changed very much since goes on with all the attractiveness of a political farce. Conside for example, the entertaining argument of the German delegate at Geneva the other day. Count von Bernstorff, a man of sam e charm inspired friendly mirth by observing that they weie not a skin cr the Powers which already were disarmed to disarm, and expressing the hope that any future conference would not degenerate into a conference for mutual protection against disarmament. This was excellent humour m diplomacy, hut his own country, which was disarmed as one of the penalties for having forced" a disastrous war on the world, still spends close on £37 000.000 on military and naval defence. Nothmg need be said about Germany’s development of civil aviation and its skill and resources for a quick adoption of its chemical industries to devastating military purposes. . . M Then look at the remarkable position oi Great Britain. i\o other nation has done as much to translate idealism of disarmament into practice. As Lord Cushendun pointed out fairly at Geneva, even Britain’s former “contemptible little aimy had bee reduced greatly to a very small force indeed. Moreover, all Britain’s land forces had been reduced to the limit of the disarmament provision in the Covenant of the League of Nations. Her Navy also has been rationed to “a level compatible with national safety ” And, as everybody knows, or ought to know, Britain s military strength in aviation is meagre compared with that ot European neighbours who, though friends to-day, may become the enemies of the morrow. Yet, Great Britain, reduced to the bone in respect ot preparation for war, still must spend £114,000.000 a year on the maintenance of all her fighting services. Naturally, to the pacifist this expenditure on peaceful militarism looks like a grotesque folly, but to the patriot, even to the peace-loving patriot who knows what other nations are doing in the building up of armaments, the British outlay on defence appears to be foolish parsimony. The average man who prefers a middle course and moderation in all things is at a loss to know what to say or do about it, but continues without grumbling to do his duty and pay his high taxes with reasonable content. The position of the United States of America is even more remarkable. It desires to assume the lead in disarmament and idealistic striving for world peace. Its name is notably associated with the international pact for the moral outlawry of war. Indeed, leading Americans have not hesitated to tell the world with characteristic candour that they represent the most righteous nation on earth—a nation which, in its righteousness, abhors war and external political entanglements. But America is not yet prepared to go the whole hog on disarmament. The last speech Mr. Calvin Coolidge made as President demonstrated quite clearly that even the most peaceful leader the United States has ever had was not ready for the peace he loved. In his own words, “the first law of progress required the world to face the facts. All human experience seems to demonstrate that a country which makes reasonable preparation for defence is likely to be subject to a hostile attack.” Quite so, and since every nation thinks similarly the price of peace must continue high. But why attempt to fool each other that they all want disarmament, and waste money on talking about an idealism they do not. intend to practise? THE NEW CHIEF JUSTICE THE delay in appointing a new Chief Justice leaves the impression that Cabinet was sharply divided upon the selection. If so, the division has terminated satisfactorily in the appointment of Mr. M. Myers, K.C., who will bring to the leadership of the Bench a brilliance and ability in keeping with the traditions of his office. (>ne of the favourable features of the appointment is that Mr. Myers is a New Zealander by birth. Sheer ability must, of course, be the deciding test, hut when that qualification is found in a man New Zealand-born, the circumstance is the more gratifying. The late Sir Charles Skerrett, though he came to New Zealand at a very early age, was not born here. Sir Robert Stout, bis predecessor, is a Shetland Islander, and justly proud of it. Before him was Sir James Prendergast, who held office in the ’nineties. The Chief Justices form a distinguished line, and in the natural course of things Mr. Myers may shortly he expected to receive a knighthood as a royal acknowledgment of his elevation. Of the remarkable qualities of the new Chief Justice much might be written. It is even true that these qualities have to some extent isolated him among his peers. Not only is Mr. Myers a brilliant advocate, but he is undoubtedly the country’s foremost commercial lawyer. Some of the big eases in which he has figured have involved close knowledge of the workings of great concerns, of the principles of high finance, and of the complex lines of international marketing. Tn these, as in the criminal cases which placed him so conspicuously before the public in his earlier days, Mr. Myers battled with consummate skill, the most subtle finesse, and a wondrously penetrating insight. In addresses to a jury he displayed the finest gifts of expression ; an ability to select words as from some rich and inexhaustible font. Added to this faculty was a masterly capacity for summing up an intricate array of fact. An evasive witness had need to fear the stiletto thrusts of his examination. Yet always behind that expressive face gleamed a humorous light. The new Chief Justice has the wit of his race, and if he gives it play upon the Beneh. the processes of justice will not be altogether sombre. In his new capacity Mr. Myers will take Supreme Court sessions as the arrangement of the roster demands. More important still will be his position as presiding judge of the Appeal Court, and as guide, philosopher and friend of the Bench. The salary for this nffiee is £2.250, a figure which no doubt means sacrifice, as such an advocate can earn a five-figure income. Yet something more than salary sustains the Chief Justice. He is the incumbent of a high and noble office and a man in whose keeping lies the vital honour of the Dominion’s judicial system.