LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 April 1940, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

MASTERTON UNION ANNUAL MEETING PRINCIPLES FOR BUILDING WORLD PEACE. MOBILISATION OF CONSTRUCTIVE THOUGHT. The annual meeting of the Masterton Branch of the League of Nations Union was held last night, the president, Mrs T. R. Barrer being in the chair. The meeting opened with prayer. “Today it is abundantly clear that an international machine for preventing war between states whose ideals differ, whose economic interests clash, and who have different views of international rights, is a world necessity.” said Mrs Barrer. “For this purpose no better machinery than that of the League of Nations’has been devised. The League of Nations Union exists to support those principles upon which the League machinery was built. Since its foundation the Council of the L.N.U. has consistently condemned aggression.

Mrs Barrer proceeded to refer to the work of the League of Nations in many spheres, and said that the lack of decisive action in 1932 to check aggression, was the world’s major disaster. Today, as a result. Britain and France, standing practically alone, were forced to take up arms against heavy odds in the battle for democratic freedom. After mentioning suggestions that had been made for reconstruction, such as by a federal union of democratic countries. Mrs Barrer went on to state supporters of the League of Nations believed that within the framework of the league were already contained all the necessary principles in which world peace might be built. It only needed to be endowed with real power to reach decisions quickly, and to enforce them with success. The council of the League of Nations Union favoured the creation within the league of partnerships of states such as that in which England and France were setting the world such a splendid example. There was little difference between the proposals

for a federal, union, and those of League of Nations Union societies. Success or failure depended upon the willingness of member states to surrender to international authority a measure of their sovereign rights. “It seems," said Mrs Barrer in conclusion, "that the present duty of our League of Nations Union lies, after giving such assistance it can towards war efforts and by means of discussions. addresses, debates and other forms of publicity, in aiming at the mobilisation of constructive thought." The secretary’-s report was adopted. It was decided to invite Mr J. 1-1. Hall to speak in Masterton. if possible, on the Future of the League. The clothes collected for a jumble stall in aid of funds for refugees, are to be given to the Red Cross to be sent to Finland. Votes of thanks were passed to the various officers, to the honorary auditor, and to the Press. The closing of the meeting was followed by a discussion relative to the potentialities of the League. Officers were elected as follow:— • Patron, Mr J. Robertson. M.P.; vicepatrons, Mr T. Jordan, Dr J. A. Cowie: president. Mrs T. R. Barrer: vicepresidents. the Ven Archdeacon, E. J. Rich, the Revs D. McNeur, T. V. Pearson. Miss S. Tankersley and Mr G. W. Morice; secretary. Miss M. Barrer; treasurer. Mr G. Sykes; council. The Rev Taepa. Misses Tankersley and lorns, Mesdames I. Dodds. Foully, Messrs Wadhams, Goudge. D. Fairbrother, W. Clarke. Esler. J. Hunter, and T. A. Russell; representative on Womens' Patriotic Committee, Miss O. lorns: representatives on Red Cross Miss S. Tankersley and Miss IV>„ Barrer.