INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21290, 9 October 1934, Page 9

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

! PROPOSED BRANCH OF INSTITUTE ADDRESS BY MR H. F. VON HAAST A meeting was held last evening in the Professorial Board room at Canterbury College, to consider the formation in Christchurch of a branch of the Royal Institute of International Affairs. Mr H. F. von Haast, of Wellington, read a memorandum explaining the organisation and aims of the Institute, and presenting- suggestions as to possible methods and objects to be adopted by the proposed Christchurch branch. Dr. J. Might was in the chair. Nature pt the Institute Mr von Haast said that the institute was founded in 1920, and was incorporated under Royal Charter in 192(5. Its aims, as set out in the charter, were:— fa) To advance the sciences of international politics, economics, and jurisprudence, and the study, classification, and development of the literature of these subjects. (b) To provide and maintain means of information upon international questions, and promote the study and investigation of international questions by means of lectures and discussions, and by the preparation of books, records, and other works as may seem desirable. (c) Generally to encourage and facilitate the study of international questions and to promote the exchange of information and thought on international affairs and the understanding of the circumstances, conditions and views of nations and peoples. (d) To encourage and facilitate the formation of branches and committees throughout the Dominions. Giving an indication of the nonparty nature of the organisation, Mr von Haast said that his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was its official visitor, and that the Prime Ministers of the Dominions, the president of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State, and the Viceroy of India, were entitled to be honorary presidents, ex officio.

Aims of Local Group A branch of the institute, said Mr von Haast, should aim first at the education of its members in international affairs, giving them a background which would make them follow with intelligent understanding the news as it came out day by day in irritating, conflicting and confused pieces. With the aid of the study and the literature of the institute, they would be able to fit all the sections of the international jig-saw puzzle into an harmonious, vivid, and often thrilling picture—though it was true that the picture, even as it was seen in completeness might dissolve in kaleidoscopic fashion, leaving yet another series of puzzle pieces to be put together. From the education of members followed naturally the education of the public by means of addresses to meetings and over the air, and the circulation of literature to those interested. Of course there would be nothing in the shape of propaganda, but merely an attempt to state facts and tendencies and points of view as impartially as possible. It would be a definite aim of the institute in New Zealand to give to institutes in other parts of the Empire its own contribution to the knowledge of international affairs. It had been realised, said Mr von Haast, in the discussions of the Institute of Pacific Relations, that although New Zealand and the islands of the Pacific were tiny, their problems were often miniatures of the same problems that occurred on a larger scale in larger countries. Experience of attempts to sclve such problems might be of value to the large countries. As one of the subjects for study was the inter-relations of the constituent parts of the British Empire, the relations between and the cooperation of New Zealand and Australia in trade, shipping, defence, and culture should be placed on the syllabus for early consideration. Arrangements should be made for conferences between groups in Australia and New Zealand. Empire Co-operation There was a larger question, said Mr von Haast, which had become more acute since the Toronto conference had nibbled at it. This was the matter of practical co-operation, both political and economic, within the British commonwealth of nations, especially on specific issues which might otherwise be treated sectionally and cause dangerous divergences of policy within the commonwealth. The position of the King's Dominions as autonomous committees was unchallenged; but the time had come to start rebuilding on a new foundation—that of complete autonomy. This question should be carefully studied bv the New Zealand branches of the institute, and after independent conclusions had been reached they should be compared and co-ordinated to form a presentation of New Zealand's considered opinion on the subject of co-operation. Generous Support Mr von Haast said that the institute had received and still received most generous support from various benefactors. It had been presented with the historic Chatham House, in St. James's square, London, to be its headquarters, and had been endowed with a gift of £SOOO a year. Other gifts had enabled it to form the nucleus of a library of reference on international affairs, and to produce the annual "Survey' of International Affairs;" edited by Professor Toynbee. It re-

ceived contributions from aIJ parties in the House of Commons, from the Bank of England and from many business firms. The institute was definitely associated with the Institute of Pficific Relations, as its representative unit in England. Affiliated to it were a Canadian institute and an Australian institute, the latter branch being also directly affiliated to the Institute of Pacific Relations. Concluding, Mr von Haast outlined the method of formation of the group in Wellington, indicating possible methods of co-ordination among groups in the different centres. It was hoped, he said, to establish groups in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Hawke's Bay, and in time to have a chain of groups throughout the Dominion.