BOYS' OWN COLUMN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 103, 3 May 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

BOYS' OWN COLUMN.

THE YOUNG PEACEMAKERS. WORK-OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF NATIONS. Dear Boys,— For some time now 1 have intended to write and tell you about the junior branch of the League of Nations. You all have some knowledge of the working of the League of Nations and of their efforts to guide the world into peaceful paths, but not all know that there is a junior branch whose membership is open to every boy and girl in the world. What good can you do by joining you are asking. What does the league do and how? The answer is simply this: The C.L.N, is thousands strong, but it must be hundreds of thousands strong if it is to conquer the world. s In the war years people used to ask each other: Are you doing your bit? The question is not less fitting in peace time. During the war people did not leave all the work to soldiers, sailors, airmen and nurses. We all felt it our duty to do something. This was especially so in England, where old gentlemen addressed envelopes, old ladies rolled bandages, boys and girls acted as messengers in Government offices. Girls who had served in shops during the day, served coffee to the troops at railway stations during the night. Mothers of families worked at munition factories for so many shifts a week, and when their work in the city was done, elderly business men did duty as special constables. In Germany it was the same. They said: "We will mobilise down to the last dog and cat." What has become of the spirit of service?- Why are the millions who worked for victory in war not working for the triumph of peace? They are leaving everything to statesmen. But that is like leaving all the war work to soldiers. The bravest soldier cannot succeed without a munition worker behind him, and the most enlightened statesman' can do nothing without public opinion behind him. We need a hundred thousand people to make the munitions of peace. We want myriads of homes and schools manufacturing goodwill, tolerance, clear thinking and courage. Everyone who joins the Children's League of Nations is helping the statesmen who are working for the peace of the world. If old and young would support the League of Nations as they supported the fighting forces war would become impossible. The League of Nations has handled 23 international disputes, six of them concerning the Great Powers. To say that we believe in the league means thai we believe disputes can be settled without war. The league has provd it over and over again. It has settled disputes which would have led to war. Jf you wish to enrol all you have to do is to send your name, age, and address to the Secretary of the r _ Junior League of Nations Union, Mr. C. E. Archibald, 111, Pacific Buildings, Wellesley Street East, Auckland. ' f F ft JL All information regarding the activi- V' J ties of the league will be promptly supplied by him.