LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 66, 10 December 1921, Page 2

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

AIMS AND OBJECTS EXPLAINED A WELLINGTON BRANCH A dissertation on what the League of Nations means to mankind was given at St. John’s Hall last night by Professor W. Henderson Pringle, of the Otago University. In addition to being a professor of Edinburgh University, Professor Pringle was for ton years a lecturer on economics at London University, and during the troublous times of the Great War acted on the Whiteley Committees which did so much to bring about a harmonious understanding between employers and employees in the British Isles. The Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P.) presided. After referring to the financial dependence of the nations upon each other, the lecturer said that there was a theory a century ago that England's best policy was aloofness from alliances, but this condition of glorious isolation had been found to be impracticable. On the other hand, there had been an opposing school of thought who argued that England’s wisest policy lay in alliances. In the latter contingency, there were only two likely countries, France and America, but such alliances had their drawbacks. Therefore, only one policy remained—that of throwing ourselves whole-hearted-ly into the League of Nations. The constitution of the League of Nations, the lecturer declared, had been drafted by the greatest minds of the age, but it was still capable of improvement and amendment. The most important meeting was the Assembly at Geneva, whole forty-eight States met, all speaking different languages and having different national aspirations and ideals. The secretariat was the clearing-house of all difficulties t'hat appeared . on the international horizon. The International Labour Bureau was also a most important body, as it was an endeavour to level all the labour conditions of tho world, especially those in the lesser advanced countries. New Zealand had been worthily represented at the Assembly by Sir James Allen, but the Dominion had not so far been represented at. the International Labour Council. "I 'have only been eight months in New Zealand,” said Professor Pringle, and I belong to no political party, but I notice that Mr. Massey stated in tho House that New Zealand was so far advanced in labour legislation that it was not necessary to send a delegate to the Labour Conference. The population of New Zealand is about 1,200,000, and therefore it would be an amazing thing if Great Britain, Europe, and America, with their teeming millions, could not teach New Zealand something about labour legislation. Even if New Zealand is so far ahead in labour legislation, it would be 'her duty to go and show the way to the older countries." Settlement of Disputes.

Proceeding, Professor Pringle said the aims of the conferences were to prevent war, and, with this object in view, the 48 States had solemnly declared to submit all disputes to the League of Nations, and not to go to war for threo months after the decision,. which gave nations nino months in whic?h to count the cost. Tlie covenant of the League provided that all treaties must bo revised every ten years, which would make it practically impossible for a nation to violate a treaty. The "New Zealand Sentinel” had declared the League of Nations to be a Roman Catholic organisation, but tho speaker, although a Protestant of pronounced views, regarded anyone wlho now tried to fan the fires of religious controversy as a very dangerous person. Where the peace of the world was concerned, we had no right to consider what religion countries held. Though not at present member of the League of Nations, the speaker ventured to prophesy that America would soon come in, as she was too closely associated with Europe to hold aloof. America was in favour of an association of nations. Commercially, nations must mix with each other, and this would in time prevent wars. Patriotism, declared the lecturer, did not consist of jingoistic sentiment. At this critical juncture of the world’s history it was not a time for. flag-waving but for a better spirit throughout the world. He appealed to the women of the country, as they were the real wielders of power. The young men of New Zealand, too, had a great heritage. All wanted to see the Dominion play a worthy part in the world’s affairs, and, therefore, we could not lead a selfish and isolated life. What was wanted in this country was young blood, a little less caution, and more courage on political questions. New Zealand was the eastern outpost of western civilisation, and as such 'had a heavy responsibility. At the conclusion of the lecture, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:—“That in view of the vast importance of the League of Nations to tho peace and welfare of the world, and in view of the fact that tho League can accomplish its beneficient design inspiied by the sympathy and good will of the community, this meeting resolves to form in Wellington a branch of the League of Nations Union; that a preliminary committee be appointed to make the necessary arrangements for launching the union, the comiuftteo to consist of His Worship the Mayor, Dr. Gibb, Councillor Thompson, Messrs. P. Fraser, M.P., P. E. Corkill, J. A. Troup, J. Hay, W. Hopkirk, D. Burrowbank, the Rev. Archdeacon Johnston, R. Inglis, J. R- Glasfion, H. Bellhouse, with three representatives of the Women’s National Council of Women, with power to add to their number.” The Rev. Dr. Gibb was appointed convener.