WORK OF UNITED NATIONS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26560, 24 October 1951, Page 3

WORK OF UNITED NATIONS

ADDRESS BY MR W. R. LASCELLES

“The situation in the world to-day is dangerous in tne extreme. It is a gloomy one. There is a feeling of wonder as to where lies tne road ahead.’’ said Mr W. R. Lascelles, in an address on the general aspects of the United Nations, at a meeting held as part of United Nations Week last even-, mg. Mr Lascelles said the world had been warned by many great men of an impending catastrophe for years, and he went on to enumerate several of them. He also commented on the various political movements in the world to-day. Communism sought to develop a classless society and was attempting a political experiment on a vast scale. The social movement the world has seen in the history of the trade union movement, and the capitalist movement, put liberty on a pedestal. Fascism centralised the thoughts on one party and on no other. The other political movement was religious. “tVe know some religions do take an interest in politics ana by reason of great weight of numbers have a great weight in world affairs. We also realise that religious movements are rather slow-moving, and they have other problems. The religious force as a political movement has not quite the strength or the urgency which will meet the situation.” said Mr Lascelles. He outlined the attempts to "spread the gospel of getting together,” and these had led to a craving for international law. In. recent years there had been two such attempts—the League of Nations and the United Nations. He considered the League had failed because all the Great Powers were not members and it lacked the weighs of power, the strength behind authority, and the strength to enforce its laws. The main reason, however, was because of the great apathy of the people. "We let what was a great aspiration disappear into the mist of history.” he said. “There has, however, emerged from the crucible of war another movement.

perhaps the greatest in human history —the United Nations.” said Mr Lascelles. He appealed for its full support. for-he said effort could achieve anything, but sloth and apathy would lead only to the precipice.