A world without weapons a world without want: a history of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in New Zealand 1955-c.1991

Abstract

The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), formed in Europe at the outbreak of the first world war, was one of the earliest mobilisations of women for peace. The organisation began in New Zealand shortly after its European inauguration, but faded during the second world war. The use of nuclear weapons late in the second world war not only changed the nature of warfare, it also lent a sense of urgency to the nascent peace and anti-nuclear movement. The testing of nuclear weapons in the Pacific and New Zealand's commitment to the Cold War stimulated a renaissance of WILPF in New Zealand. In 1955 WILPF was re-established by a small group of women who argued that the hostility of the Cold War and the ensuing arms race was opposed to the interests of humanity. This study, which is largely based on the League's extensive archives, illuminates the history of an enduring peace group. This study spans the years c.1955 to 1991, a period which saw New Zealand renegotiate its relationship with Britain and other European powers and begin to formulate a more independent foreign policy. These years also saw the New Zealand section of the League formulate ideas and tactics specific to a Pacific environment. This study reveals that WILPF was a persistent and radical element in New Zealand peace activism. Unlike other groups, however, WILPF was not known for visible or aggressive protest methods. The organisation has at times struggled, but survived due to a core of dedicated members. Conversely WILPF, a pacifist group, is remarkable in its commitment to a radical and holistic view of peace. In this period WILPF contended with a myriad of issues (including continued underground and atmospheric nuclear testing in the Pacific, the Vietnam War, apartheid in South Africa, and the disadvantage of Maori and women in the political sphere). As they dealt with each, members drew upon a range of philosophies, including pacifism, feminism, Quaker beliefs, and anti-nuclearism. A strong argument made by WILPF members in this period was that enduring peace could only be affected by creating structural pre-requisites based upon meeting basic human needs. This group of New Zealand women joined with women from across the world, all of whom contended that women had a specific right and responsibility to speak out for peace and disarmament.