THE OTHER SIDE.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 57, 23 March 1937, Page 4

THE OTHER SIDE.

Much has heard of the withdrawals of members from the League of Nations, although appareutly some of the non-members afe anxious to maiutain touch. -Japan especially has eudeavoured to have deleg&tes 0U iatefuatioaal committees, and is represented on the special committee that is now investigating raw materials and foodstuffs. They are said to have been prominent in introducing the question of immigration facilities. On the other hand little has been heard of th© application for membership. If the League were as impotent as its ctities contend; if membership meant nothing> then it would be diffieult to understand why small States should be willing, indeed anxious, to join. The latest applicant is Egypt, and the application h'as tEe endorsenient of the British Government. This wsa promised when . the recent agreement was signed, and it will at least demonstrate to the world the independent status of the Kingdom. Th matter is Of interest because it will be the second application of the kind that the British authoritiea have supported, The first Was that of Irak. This was the first mandated country to be officially recognised by the League, and membership, it is said, did a great deal to xaise British prestige in the Near East. The British had accepted the mandate over Irak and at once set to work to establish a Government. Progress was xapid and when the new Administration was functioning smoothly the independence of the country was recognised by the British Government and Irak became a member of the League of Nations. The position with regaxd to Egypt was not quite the same. The kingdom was established years ago, but there were several issues that had to be settled before the stage had been reached where the independence of Egypt could be offically recognised. The application now made may lack the spectacular qualities of withdrawals, for they are usually made in a mere or less dramatie manuer if only to impress the peoples of the States concerned, but if the League can be Tegarded as the union of people of good intent^ and a means for enabling the n'atidns to come together then its value will increase.