PEACE IDEALS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1928, Page 4

PEACE IDEALS

LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION. MANY SUEJECTS DISC USSED. WELLINGTON. May 29. The annual conference of the Dominion Council of the League (1 Nations Union of New Zealand opened to-day. I)r A. (L 11. Fisher. Professor of Economics at Otago University, presided. Delegates from all parts of New Zealand, to the number of about 70, attended.

The. annual report showed a membe ship of alxnit. 2.3-10.

Ur Fisher said the outstanding events in connection with the League during tile year had been the optional clauses. He considered it a pity that Britain and the Dominion had bath held hack from signing. Each' waited for a lead from the other. With regard to Samoa, it was difficult, said Mr Fisher, to ascertain all the facts. He thought, without going into details of this dispute, that the Government would have been better advised t:> have been more generous with its publicity in this matter. There was considerable discussion on the British Government’s refusal to

sign the optional clause of the Permanent Court of International Justice. .Mr Airev (Christchurch), who introduced the subject, explained that this optional clause was a pledge by a country to submit certain legal disputes to a Court of Justice. It referred mostly ti disputes about such things as treaties and lend damages. Although some twenty nations had signed the clause. Great Britain had refused to do so, her reax m being that it was difficult to get the Dominions to agree. He wanted to approach the Xew Zealand Government on the subject, and see if they were standing in the way. So far they had not expressed any opinion.

'I ho Bov Ur Gibb said that the refusal to sign on the part of Great Britain was creating a Imd impression in Continental nations. In fact. France was waiting to see what Great Britain would do. If the clause were signed the feeling all round between the nations would be eased considerably.

Some nations were even suggestin': that Great Britain was not wholehearted in her relations with the League of Nations. He certainly considered that the Xew Zealand Government might take the public more into its confidence that it did. Air J. Snodgrass. M.L-.C. said that this matter was under discussion by the Xew Zealand G overnmeirl. and would Im? considered at a conference on June 4th. He considered that the Xew Zealand Government was not expected to make things public until they had come to definite conclusions, and it was unjustifiable to press them in the matter until they had made their final reply to Great Britain. The Rev. Dr Gibb replied that the Government should not live in a sort of camera ohscura, and he deprecated this tendency to sebret diplomacy.

Eventually tho following resolution was carried: “That in view of the opinion expressed by Sir Austen Chamberlain in September, 1927, that Great Britain was prevented from signing the so-clled optional clause, this Conference urges upon the New Zealand Government the desirability of representing to the Britsh Government that Great Britain need not hesitate to promise unmeasured adherence to the* optional clause on account of fear that New Zealand would thereby he committed to a policy of which she disapproves. This Conference also urges the' New Zealand Government to make a definite statement a.s to its policy.” The Conference expressed its appreciation of the multi-lateral system, and hoped that the New Zealand Government, the States, a.nd members of the League of Na.lions, would find it passible to accept the treaty without violating their obligations. SAMOA. Mr Airey considered that systematic training (including anthropology) should he given to ollieia’s proceeding to Samoa and other dependencies. He deorecntcd the necessity for establishing military police amongst the purely pacific Sai»cans. The Rev. Dr Gibb said he had found a police force was necessary in New Zealand. Why should Samoa bo any exception ? The chairman considered the Government should have taken the public more into its confidence, but it would he unwise to pass any resolution on a subject about which they had not the fia’l facts. The resolution was allowed to drop. MILITARY TRAINING. Compulsory military training was introduced. Mr Airey said that the system was inconsistent with the obligations of tho League. However, whether it was or not-, he was concerned about the development of military training in our secondary .schools. Military ideas were entering into the -.lives of boys at a most impressionable age. The more fact of training liow to sliocit at figure targets stimulated a desire to kill.

The Rev. Dr Gibb was against even discussing such u controversial subject for fear of creating internal discord in the League. He was for the abolition of military training, lack, stock and barrel. They had no right to decline conflict, but ought not to seek it. The General Assembly had expressed an opinion against the system and where the Assembly was to-day the Church was there to-morrow. Mr Aeheson said that disarmament was tho biggest problem in the world to-dav. What contribution was New Zealand going to make to the qucction? They must face this compulsory military training problem in the next few years. Already the Government had made certain alterations to the cadets’ and territorial training, and the feeling in New Zealand was against the system.

After a lengthy discussion it was decided not to pursue tho subject any further. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: -Patron, Sir

James Allen; president. Dr A. G. B Fisher; hon. vice-presidents, Rt. Hon

J. G. Coates, Hon. Mr Downie Stewart, lion. Mr llollestcn, Air IL E. Holland, M.P.. Mr F. Milner, Rev. Mr Chatterto-n, Miss K. M. Evans, Rev. J. K. Archer, Mr H. Valdnr. Mr E. C. Gotten, S.M., Sir Thomas Mackenzie, Mr T .Buiford, Dr Belshaw, Rev. I>.

Hug) left,’ Mrs Fraer; hon. secretary, Mrs Leech; (the hon. treasurer, Mr .1. Greenfield, was unable to offer himself for,re-election owing to pressure of work. The matter was left to the Dominion Executive); hon. auditors,

Messrs Barr, Horens and Go. With the exception of Mrs Hunan, who is away in England, all the executive were reelected. Mrs Patterson was elected to replace Mrs Ha nan.