The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1896.

Waikato Argus, Volume I, Issue 71, 19 December 1896, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1896.

It is impossible not to appreciate tlte exertions of enthusiasts when the object they desire to accomplish is clearly in the interests of humanity, however, much we may be inclined to smile at the inadequacy of the means proposed to attain the ends aimed at. All great reforms, however, have so appeared when first made subjects of consideration, by the agitation of a few men spurred to action by conviction. Of late we have heard little of the doings of the Peace Society ; the last time we remember its coming under notice was when it sent a message to the late Emperor of Russia, and got for an answer, expressed of course in official language—mind your own business. Not long since, however, a Universal Peace Congress was held at Uuda collected together amiable enthusiasts from oil parts of Kuropo, the United Kingdom included. The programme was a very full one, such as could only emanate from men of their stamp. A resolution was moved calling upon all civilized countries to cease the annexations in Africa, with a rider to the effect that a permanent international Commission should be formed, and England as the foremost Colonial Power be invited to take the initiative. Another resolution exhorts the Governments to cease adding to the war budgets and counsels the Parliaments to refuse additional grants for the Army and Navy, until the respective governments have taken the question of general disarmament in hand, and until it has been proved the competition in armaments is an inevitable necessity. Another resolution passed was that the Congress shall urge the adoption of an International language, of a Customs

Union embracing all Europe, the transformation of armies into skeleton armies with an organised militia behind,them. The last resolution was Unit the permanent Pence Committee i.s empowered when an international rupture i.s threatened, to take .steps to avert an actual outbreak' of war. that tin; working classes shall be brought to take an interest in the peace idea, and Trades Unions and Labour Societies be invited to send delegates to tin.' Congresses. The idea of international arbitration and the formation of an international arbitration court is to be worked for. There is an ironical significance in an assembly of this kind just now. The ail'airs of the world are certainly not tending towards peace. All their ideas are very interesting and deserving of encouragement, but, unfortunately, they are utterly impracticable. The ivhole world i.s anxious for peace prepared to make sacrifices to retain it. War, however, has always been ami will be probably for an indefinite period the scourge and discipline of humanity. The present enormous armaments will most certainly be tested by actual warfare, until this has happened, the congress can be but as a voice crving in the wilderness. We respect the members of the Congress for their good intention, but at the same time cannot help recognising that their energies could be much more profitably apjjlied to some other philanthropic object. It takes, however, all sorts and conditions of men to make a world, and the members of the Peace .Societies

are, no doubt, useful members of society, although it is difficult to define their usefulness at the present juncture in the world's affairs.