STILL HOMELESS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 271, 28 August 1946, Page 8

STILL HOMELESS

UNITED NATIONS ORGANISATIONS

UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH NEW YORK. Nine months after the ratification of the Charter, the United Nations Organisation is still homeless. Specially appointed reresentatives are touring the eastern States of America trying to find a permanent home, but practically everywhere they go they are told politely but firmly- that they are not welcome. State Governments issue attractive invitations' only to find that their people do not relish the idea of being hosts. Americans, generally, are in favour of the United Nations Organisation, but they wish it would settle down away from their home localities. Wealthy Connecticut landowners — the people most interested at present because a site near the town of Greenwich seems likely to be recommended to the General Assembly next month — would like to see Uno flourish in Texas Mexico, California or even Vienna. Attitude of New Yorkers New Yorkers would like to have the Organisation in their State provided it does not interfere with their homes or games. While the site investigating group under the chairmanship of Sir Angus Fletcher is bound to report to the Assembly on sites in New York and Connecticut many delegates, annoyed by the hostile attiude of residents, are again considering the advisability of moving to San Francosco. That city alone has issued an invitation without a protest from its residents. After a few months’ trial in the temporary premises, however, the majority of delegates feel disinclined to leave the New York area. Protests have been less vocal recently only because Sir Angus Fletcher has displayed greater tact in handling “the locals” than his predecessor, Dr. Stoyan Gavrilovitch. Extremist elements made thinly veiled attacks on Dr. Gavrilovitch, a Yugoslav, by warning that it “would not be wise to have foreigners running about the country.” They did not explain whether they thought Uno was an all-American show Dr. Gavrilovitch was stung into replies, but Sir Angus Fletcher has been doing his work almost unnoticed.

“Expensive Tastes”

Much of the trouble in Connecticut arose when it was found that the site originally recommended included, nine country clubs, 12 villages, five townships, two airports, and* dozens of mansions belonging to extremely wealthy people. Uno has been roundly criticised. on the. grounds of being “too expensive in its tastes.” Officials have declared that the ideal site would be 9.5 square miles, and the Connecticut land under consideration averages 850 dollars an acre, rising in some parts to 3000 dollars an acre.

Connecticut residents who object to giving up their land are being criticised by people from other States whose homes are not being affected. One man writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper, asked them to take a lesson from King Juda. of Bikini, who “gave up his whole kingdom in the cause of world peace.” The New York authorities are trying hard to convince the United Nations that the logical home would be at the former World Fair site which has been taken as the temporary meeting place of the General Assembly. That choice would make many people happy, because it represents idle land.

“Disgraceful Spectacle”

Whatever (he merits of the protests against Uno settling where it chooses the Federal Government must bear the blame for the disgraceful spectacle of Uno going round with its hat in its hand like an unwelcomed guest. The Government issued an invitation to come to America, but since then has done nothing to assist in finding a suitable site. It has said merely. “You are welcome,”, a cry which has not been taken up by the landowners.