BACK FROM GENEVA.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1921, Page 6

BACK FROM GENEVA.

CHAT WITH SIR JAMES ALLEN. London, Dec. 23. Whatever good may arise from the Assembly of the League of Nations, Sir James Allen is impressed with the kindly feeling which was developed between delegates from the different parts of the world. There is just one fear that the representatives may split up into small cliques, a tendency which was slightly noticeable on this occasion, but, on the whole, it is certain that the Assembly has brought about a better relationship between the peoples of the world. Perhaps the most important thing accomplished was the setting up of the International Court of Justice, which should have a great influence in the future, Useful technical organisations were those dealing with vaterways of the world and with health. This latter should -be of special value to New’ Zealand. During the influenza epidem io we felt that we lacked the knowledge of what was happening in other parts. This organisation will supply knowledge. Then it will take international measures to fight epidemics, and every nation will be supplied with the results of the latest and best scientific investigations. America’s attitude with regard to the league was, said Sir James, not greatly discussed. The opinion was held that if she wanted to stand out in splendid isolation she should be allowed to do so. Delegates • felt that the less they talked about America the it only pandered to the vanity of her people. She was just as keen for the peace of the world as any other nation, but her fail - ure to join in with the league was based on a desire for notoriety. Referring tb the princely salaries paid to some of the officers of the secretariat, the High Commissioner said he felt it a moral obligation to make a protest. He had np fault to find with the work done by the secretariat, but seeing that the nations were groaning under the burden of debt he thought it a bad example to be paying the chief officer of the league a salary of £lO,OOO a year.