John
Collins entered the Church and during the Second
World War became Canon of St. Paul's Cathedral. A campaigner against
racial prejudice and racial tyranny. In 1950 he organized meetings
in London and raised money in order to
publicize the illegal role of South Africa
in the United Nations mandated territory of
South-West Africa (Namibia).
In
1952 the African National Congress (ANC) under the leadership of Albert
Lutuli, began its non-violent campaign against unjust and discriminatory
laws in South
Africa.
Collins and his Christian Action group raised funds to help support
the families and dependants of ANC members imprisoned by the South
African government.
A
wealthy Durban businessman invited Collins to visit South Africa in
1954. It was hoped that Collins could be persuaded to end his campaign
against the South African government. Collins was disgusted by what
he heard and saw in South Africa and this only intensified his campaign
against apartheid.
On
2nd November, 1957, the New Statesman
published an article by J. B. Priestley
entitled Russia, the Atom and the West. In the article Priestley
attacked the decision by Aneurin Bevan to
abandon his policy of unilateral nuclear disarmament. The article
resulted in a large number of people, including Collins, writing letters
to the journal supporting Priestley's views.
Kingsley Martin, the editor of the New
Statesman, organised a meeting of people inspired by Priestley
and as result they formed the Campaign for Nuclear
Disarmament (CND). As well as Priestley, Martin and Collins the
group included Bertrand Russell, Fenner
Brockway, Vera Brittain, James
Cameron, Victor Gollancz, Richard
Acland, A. J. P. Taylor and Michael
Foot.
Collins
played an important role in the annual Easter Aldermaston March that
ended in Trafalgar Square in London. In
the late 1950s and early 1960s these marches obtained large public
support.
(1)
J. B. Priestley, New
Statesman (2nd November, 1957)
In
plain words: now that Britain has told the world that she has the
H-Bomb she should announce as early as possible that she has done
with it, that she proposes to reject in all circumstances nuclear
warfare.
We ended
the war high in the world's regard. We could have taken over its moral
leadership, spoken and acted for what remained of its conscience,
but we chose to act otherwise. The melancholy consequences were that
abroad we cut a shabby figure in power politics and at home we shrug
it all away or go to the theatre to applaud the latest jeers and sneers
at Britannia.
Alone
we defied Hitler: and alone we can defy this nuclear madness there
may be other chain-reactions besides those leading to destruction:
and we might start one. The British of these times, so frequently
hiding their decent kind faces behind masks of sullen apathy or some
cheap cynicism, often seem to be waiting for something better than
party squabbles and appeals to their narrowest self-interest, something
great and noble in its intention that would make them feel good again.
And this might well be a declaration to the world that after a certain
date one power able to engage in nuclear warfare will reject the evil
thing for ever.
(2)
Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, Tribute to Canon Collins (August
1978)
I
am certain, and am proud to go on record saying it, that informed
opposition to apartheid... owes as much to John Collins and Christian
Action as informed opposition to the slave trade owed to Wilberforce.
And when history comes to be written the name of John Collins will
have an equally honoured place. South African racist policy; the anti-apartheid
movement; the consequences for world peace of all that happens in
the area of race relations anywhere on earth... the fact that today
these things are recognized and acknowledged as urgent international
priorities is in large measure due to the unflagging dedication and
enthusiasm of one man. I thank God for him.
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