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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 2, No. 18. September 20, 1939

War — Its Causes and Effects

War

Its Causes and Effects

Dear Salient—

Now that many university students are likely to be affected more or less by the present European war, some attention should be given by them to a careful consideration of its aspects, such as its avoidability, its recurrence and the causes that bring it about. Wars have taken place right down through the ages and they appear to occur inevitably time and time again. The serious question is, is there any effective alternative that will bring a lasting peace not [unclear: generely] for our own people but for others also? Confidently I affirm there is such an alternative, which, however, must be tested out completely, according to Reason and Truth. In the first place we all have to envisage a new outlook which will make allowances for the adequate expression of views by others and at the same time will provide some fundamental principle to work upon. Such principle must be capable of application to all classes of people throughout the world and be able to better the conditions of nations as a whole. Our law and constitution state the aim of the nation as "right and Justice," while our political leaders personally rely upon God's help" to defend the right. It is patent, therefore, that the only solution, or effective remedy, for war is the amplification of Truth and Christian principles in our community not in the manner in which they are practised today but in way that everybody knows they ought to be, as declared by Jesus Christ himself. Society may shirk this issue but so long as this is done, there can be no peace or end to wars.

Yours faithfully,

T. F. Simpson.