PREPARING FOR THE PEACE

Korero (AEWS), Volume 2, Issue 23, 15 January 1945, Page 9

PREPARING FOR THE PEACE

Employment of the War Generation

By

In Korero No. 15 we published an article “ Preparing for the Peace : Employment of the War Generation,” by Pilot Officer J. A. Mcßride, R.N.Z.A.F. Rex Newton, another serviceman overseas, writes the article we print below “ in startled outcry ” against the propositions which Pilot Officer Mcßride set out. He submits his criticisms and opinions as “ another serviceman’s outcry for his, and posterity’s, children.”

I am a serviceman overseas, claiming to be neither a writer nor a politically deep thinker. But no man who has served overseas, no man who has seen blood flow in the pursuit of peace, could possibly believe in the world governed by a conglomeration of warlike Boy Scouts that has been conceived by P/O. Mcßride. It would appear that Mr. Mcßride is a young man with

romantically childish ideas struggling to emerge from a labryinth of official red tape, tradition, and hereditary political cautiousness. Before I set forth my conception of the word peace and how it may be ensured, let me strip Mr. Mcßride’s high-sounding propositions to the bone and demonstrate the actual ridiculousness of his claims.

' Mr. Mcßride condemns the present ghting generation as unfit to take their lace as leaders of our post-war world striving for a united peace. He would have these leaders “selected” — yes, selected from the front line, and sent to an “ International Youth College,” where they will apply themselves diligently to “ research into the immense and complex problems of peace, and towards evolving plans for peace.” Might I ask who shall select ? And who shall determine the standards of the research ? The answer is obvious. These “ leaders ” will be selected by their own Governments, and therefore they will not necessarily represent the people. And what man can lead the people unless he represents them ? Noone but a dictator ! , Likewise, the information and knowledge accessible to the college ” will be standardized by the Governments, which will consist of Baldwin-opinionated gentry of the decaying generation—same generation that blundered into this war; and will, given the chance, stubbornly do so again. These selectees. In Mr. Mcßride’s words, “ . . . it will happen that young men of the quality required are already holding high rank and occupying key positions . . . ” Will a man of present high rank in the field, used to military laws, used to dictating orders and punishments alike, make a desirable leader ? The writer then goes on to claim that his “ college ” will have an “ individuality of constitution. ” Might I remind him that the 3rd Reich also has an “ individuality of constitution ” ? To sum up Mr. Mcßride’s proposals : it appears that he desires to combine a League of Nations with a troop of armed Boy Scouts, and instruct them to carry the convictions and practices of the Chamberlain generation into posterity.

With regard to the present fighting generation, Mr. Mcßride claims that their leaders will be war-weary ; and that with victory will come exhaustion

of the resources of our generation. I do not think so. The process of the ' training of a leader is accelerated by the trials of war. Again, the reflections of any fighting man, in any period in which he is free to reflect, are devoted to peace, what it is, how it' can be attained, and, more important still, how it can be maintained. A man cannot be converted into a leader, no more can a leader be schooled to another’s idea of leadership. Winston Churchill is a leader. He first made headlines in the Boer War. He erred and strayed in the years following, but his instinctive leadership and courage led his feet back upon the right path. In erring, he learnt, until finally, in the climax of his greatness, he stands as one of the most inspiring and beloved leaders that the world has known. Joan of Arc was a leader. Was she trained in a school, was she soaked in a formula of peace gathered by ancient and stubborn governors of her preceding generation ? And so to peace. What is this obscure definition for which blood has flowed so freely and so long ? Perhaps it is not so far removed from war as we would think. Perhaps war and peace are not words of opposite meaning In war, we fight for our homes, our wives, and our children. Whether these things are present, or only dreams of the future, is of little account. And in peace we fight for those self-same thingsunder vastly different conditions, certainly, but they are still the greater things in life ; they are the husk of the man. This generation’s warriors comprehend that peace to a far greater extent than any political degenerate ever could. Our leaders will assert themselves when the time comes. That time cannot be before they themselves have removed this present and greater threat to peace. If we can ensure that they will not be trampled upon by an older and fastwaning type of politician, then the duty that is theirs, the duty for which they have been unconsciously making themselves ready, will become far easier for them to discharge.