ESPERANTO

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 14, 11 October 1927, Page 10

ESPERANTO

Sir,—ln the course of a letter re tho above subject, which appeared in your issue of October 6, "No Camouflage” asks, inter alia, whether it is- not a fact that an international organisation exists, to remove national boundaries between countries and to set up a sort of universal republic; also this organisation already has its agents and emissaries in every country of the world. In reply. I desire to state that an international organisation, one of the more directly utilitarian developments of the Esjieranto movement, known as the Universala Esperanto-Asocio—in English, Universal Esperanto Association —with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, has been in oxisteuco since 1908. The official language is Esperanto. This organisation, as is the whole .Esperanto movement, is entirely non-political, emphatically so. It is by no means existent for, or employed to do away, with national boundaries, nor to form an universal republic. Its aim is to assist persons using Esperanto, in such practical matters as commerce and touring, etc. Tho usefulness of the U.E.A. is growing. The services performed for its members, through correspondence or otherwise, by the authorised consuls and delegates, who are available in over a thousand places throughout the world, number several thousands per annum. The correspondence dealt with at the central office of the association at Gen-

ova amounts to anything up to forty odd thousand items per year—all of this being non-partisan, non-political, entirely neutral.

Owing to the activities of the U.E.A. and of Esperantists generally, tho utility of Esperanto in travel, for instance, is considerable. Esperantist officials, hotel-keepers, shop-assistants, and policemen are already numerous, and the man who travels about armed with a fair knowledge of the language is frequently nt a great advantage as compared with the non-Esperantists. Ho can use the services of the U.E.A. to find suitable hotels or lodgings, to meet local Esperantists, who will bo delighted to welcome him and to explain all the most interesting features of their national life and surroundings. In commerce the services of this or-

ganisation have been and are the means of putting business people in touch with others of the most diverse nationalities to their mutual advantage, and which would have been impossible otherwise. Esperanto only, of course, is used. Members of tho U.E.A. receive the year-book, the issue for 1927 containing over 500 pages chock’ full of interesting matter. The addresses of the delegates up to date of publication are included. Firms where an Esperanto-speaking person is available can become members as “Komercaj Entrcprenoj"—Commercial Undertakings. I trust this letter will convince “No Camouflage” as to what is and what is not the Universal Esperanto Association. —I ain, etc., L. E. DUST,

Delegate of tho Universal Esperanto Association. Wellington, October 8.