DEFUNCT BUT STILL NECESSARY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 232, 28 June 1944, Page 3

DEFUNCT BUT STILL NECESSARY

League Of Nations Idea

A personal impression of Switzerland ami the League of/Nations, derived from 17 years’ residence in Geneva, was recounted by Mvs. W. A- .Riddell, wife ol the High Commissioner for Canada, on Monday afternoon, when speaking .to a crowded meeting of members of the Women’s Social Progress Movement in Wellington. Though it was not a terribly popular subject, she believed in the League of Nations. It was not the League but the countries who did not keep their obligations, ‘“a ted Mrs. Riddell. pointing out how essential the League’s principles were now when people were trying to devise post-war reconstruction and trying to avert the catastrophe which had overtaken them twice in this century. The 'Women's Social Progress Movement was doing good work in educating citizens, and it would only he through mutual co-operation that what had happened in the past decade could be prevented from happening again. Comparing the League's basic branches to a three-leaf clover with the stem firmly embedded in Mr. Roosevelt's four freedoms (freedom from want and fear, and of speech and worship), Mrs. Riddell discussed the functions of the Assembly, the International Labour Organization and International Secretariat. The International Labour Organization, of which Mr. Nash was the chairman at the last meeting held in the U.S.A., was a unique organization, because for the first time in history governments, workers and employers’ delegates were able to meet and discuss difficulties. The valufi of getting together and settling disputes was stressed by Mrs. Riddell, who instanced pre-war incidents where the League bad prevented minor clashes between nations. A Cause of War. Dealing primarily with governments and diplomatic relations, Mrs. Riddell said the League thought that if living standards could be levelled and industrial standards bettered for the .workers, it would be getting rid of one of the causes of war. Arbitration and the judicial handling, of disputes characterized the yearly conference, when different countries sent their delegates. “The League really started not only to maintain peace, but to make a world where peace could be maintained. It failed. I only hope we have learnt our lesson and that we are going to be ready to win the ueace after the war,” concluded the'speaker. Mrs. Riddell prefaced her observations on the League with a “bird’s-eye view” of Switzerland, which she said had probaldy gone further along the road of democracy than any other country. It was only about a third of the size of the North Island, but accommodated 4,000,000 people, and all its legislation was adroitly handled. She described the sharp contrasts in -scenery, the hard work entailed when 22 per cent, of the land was so steep that it was impossible to cultivate it. and the painstaking efforts required for growing hay and cultivating vineyards in mountainous places where the earth had to be carried up and kept in with little walls. She also outlined the schooling system and discussed the charm of Swiss seasonal fetes, outdoor cafe orchestras and architecture. She was thanked for her address by the president, Miss E. Watson, and a formal vote of thanks was proposed by Miss J. Ilowden. Miss Myra Sawyer, Mrs. Jemmett and Mrs. Burgess, who gave items in a programme arranged by Mrs. James Bennie, were thanked by Mrs. Gibbins. .