LEAGUE OF NATIONS AND PARTY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2757, 12 July 1924, Page 4

LEAGUE OF NATIONS AND PARTY.

DANGER OF SOCIALIST 01SIGNS.

The sincere supporter* of the League of Nations a* a world-in-strument for the purpose uf sane methods of approach to {federal mu - nitions of peace ami goodwill between nations must at times feel nmeh disturbed at the varied and specious propaganda pul forth under cover of regard for the League. It has become a fashion in many quarters by way of appeal to sentiment to quote the League in support of doctrines that certainly the originators of the League Covenant and the Peace Treaty never suggested.

First we have the peace at any cost pacifist (a school of sentimentalists having direct representation in the New Zealand Labour Party). These people argue for complete disarmament of our Nation and Umpire whatever others do, and reliance on the League. This, of course, the League has never asked of any nation but the people who assume the role of “the only peace party’’ use its inline wherewith to bolster their own risky pleadings. We find communists using the League's mime to advance their purpose of Red Internationalism on the Soviet basis. The Socialists make frequent use of it for the purpose of establishing an International policy on Socialist party lines. Then there are the little Englander Liberals, both at Home and abroad, who are possessed of what Kipling rightly describes as “the craven fear of being great.” Such persons see in the League a means of rigidly circumscribing the limits uf Empire and somehow it is made to apply to our own Empire first of all. They fear expansion because they are “stay at homes” whose vision is limited to their own immediate surroundings. Thus is the League drag-

ged in as a support for many varied and even conflicting theories and doctrines of party propaganda. There are many good people who join the League of Nation Unions and take part in the educational work for the advancement of world peace who require to be warned ngainst the danger of being used for party ends they never bad any intention of supporting.

SOCIALIST PARTY’S SOPFITSTRY

At one time •'■'the New Zealand Labour Party” representatives spoke rather disparagingly of the League. They pleaded. that what League. They pleaded that what was wanted was “a League of peoples not a League of Nations.” Now they have discovered that they can use the League's name for their party ends and apparently all is right with the League. Mr H, F. Holland, M.P., has carried this sophistical propaganda into Parliament. Tie asks the Government whether they intend to put into operation the Labour Chaises of the Peace Treaty.” Of course if is his interpretation of these clauses which is meant. The framers of the Treaty will not be consulted.

He quotes clauses 2 of article 427 which ‘‘confers the right of association for all lawful purposes on employee and employer.” If we understand Mr. Holland’s party ul’ight it is contending that all employees, slate or otherwise, shall be free to join any association that is not prohibited by statutory enactment. That, we are sure is not the view of the Nations which were parties to the Treaty. -If would mean abrogation if the sovereign rights of the nation in matters of internal administration were it so restricted. The words “lawful purposes” must surely be read in in the wider sense of purposes which are not inimical to the State, and the Government in whom authority is vested must decide on such purposes under sanction ol Parliament and the Law.

This attempt of Mr. Holland to use the Peace Treaty as an instru incut wherewith to chastise the Government and serve his party ends becomes ridiculous when lie. quotes (danse 7 as “conceding the principle that men and women should receive equal remuneration for work of equal value.” Who is to be the judge of value? A realy comic note is struck in the Statement Unit “The Labour Party concedes that only doctors, lawyers, and journalists enjoy Hie privilege bestowed by clause 7 “that of equal pay for equal work.” Wliat a palpable sop to these prol essionnl voters. Altogether what sophistry these socialists ime. The League of Nations Peace Treaty and other international agreements arc nothing in themselves blit to be taken as capital for the party politician with' which to advance his own interests. Such specious pleading will be estimated at its true value as worthless for any good purpost*. (Contributed by Ihe New Zealand Welfare League.)