“WORLD OUTLOOK BETTER”

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 5 February 1938, Page 10

“WORLD OUTLOOK BETTER”

MR JORDAN’S BELIEF HIGH COMMISSIONER’S WORK IN LONDON Craou otra own cobbesfokdiitt.) LONDON, January 7. “The last year has been full of anxiety, but there has been a gradual improvement in the international situation and at the moment the outlook is considerably better than at this time last year," said the High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan), in an interview today. He was reviewing the position on the eve of the meetings of the Council of the League of Nations and of the committee set up to consider amendments to the Covenant. Mr Jordan will leave in a few days to attend the meetings and will be about a fortnight in Geneva. “The League is made up of representatives of policies of nations and cannot be any more effective than the member States determine it shall be,” he said. “New Zealand and other parts of the Empire have pledged themselves to a policy of collective security in accordance with the policy of the League. lam of the opinion that the peoples of the world favour that policy, but unfortunately in many countries the voice of the people is not heard, and the voice of governments does not necessarily represent the opinion of the people.” Speaking of his work in London, Mr Jordan said the last year had been an exceptionally full one. A High Commissioner’s duties were manysided and did not consist merely of attending luncheons, dinners, and receptions at Court. Apart from such official functions, his greatest interest had been in social work in the East End. He had been in touch with many organisations assisting the poor, whose plight was indeed serious.

When one knew what was being done in New Zealand for the welfare of the people, it made one wonder when Britain would be able to act similarly. There were thousands of children of whom it could be said that they appeared to have little prospect of advancement. The struggle to live was keen and great praise was due to those who were battling year after year to Sl^.. the People and improve their nsvw 1 ? 118 ' t He had endeavoured never to refuse an appeal from social workers in the East End. x return from Geneva Mr f° rda £ W1 k ta . ke part in a New ZeaFebruary 8 Da ventry on Dominion at 9.45 a.m.^Greenwich 3 time ffjrtfasr wm last -boff? qS