LESSONS OF HISTORY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1943, Page 2

LESSONS OF HISTORY

AND PROBLEMS OF WORLD RECONSTRUCTION ADDRESS BY DEAN WARREN. PROMOTION OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN NATIONS. “We will be unutterable fools if we fail to face up to the lessons of history,” said the Very Rev. A. K. Warren, Dean of Christchurch Cathedral, in addressing a large gathering in the McGregor Hall, Masterton, last night on world reconstruction. Dean Warren outlined proceedings at an international round table conference of sixty-one Christian leaders in Princeton, U.S.A., in July, 1943. Representatives were present from North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand and included refugees from Japan and Germany. Among laymen who participated were men and women who had been connected officially with the peace conference at Versailles.

The conference aimed at promoting a better understanding of views held by Christians in different countries and at formulating a consensus of views on the problem of order in the post-war world. Dean Warren said there was a need of individuals forming public opinion so that their leaders would know how far they could go with the backing of the people. National isolationalism and the balance of power, which had failed to maintain peace, must be repudiated. Temporary collaboration among the Powers should give way as quickly as possible to a universal order.

Dean Warren emphasised that the Christian Church itself was potentially the chief instrument of world peace. A large measure of discipline and sacrifice for the good of the whole world community had to be achieved by each nation for the good of that nation and as a contribution to world order. Dean Warren said it was unlikely that political leaders, unaided, would be able to offer the lead and the sacrifice that were needed. When Germany and Japan had been punished, markets had to be found for their goods. The churches must challenge and counteract the development of hatred which tended to increase under the tension of war. The conference agenda provided for a consideration of problems that arose from the need to arrive at a Christian, attitude towards Germany, and a settlement in the Far East that harmonised with Christian standards.

Dean Warren concluded with an appeal to each individual to give those problems earnest thought. It was the opinions and demands of individuals, he said, that were crystallised into action by national leaders.