LEAGUE OF NATIONS LECTURE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 32, 7 August 1923, Page 2

LEAGUE OF NATIONS LECTURE

A most informative lecture on tho League of Nations was delivered at tho Y.W.C.A., Bouloott street, last oveningby Mr. Leigh Hunt. Reference was first made to the aftermaths of war, the Kj'cknoss, the moral degradation tl'iat inevitably followed in the wake of war. War bred extravagance, which it took generations ip weed out. But the 6elC-sacrifice was not always in vain. Ho thought that the women were the greatest sufferers, and,if it could be truly said that no nation rope higher than its women, then it could be said also that the League- of Nations could not rise higher, than tho women of the various countries wished it to- Mr. Hunt then proceeded to enumerate the clauses in tho Covenant of the League of Nations, which Covenant was inserted in oyery Treaty made by the Allies. Its object was to promote international co-operation. The constitution of the League and the Assembly Council were explained. Moat of the matters considered by the .League were of a permissive character, and had to be submitted to the Governments of the various countries before they could be put into operation. Important clauses such as the reduction of armaments had to bo renewed every ten years as well as all treaties registered with the Secretariat of the League. This step was a great advance in democracy in the doing away with secret treaties. The penalties in the cut-ting-off of trade relationships with the offpnding country were also explained. Mr. Hunt spoke of the mandates and the manner in which they were. held, and gave <i resume of the issues before the publio at the last American Presidential elections and how they were used to keep America put of tho League. The League could not help but totter unless strong publio support was given it. New Zealand was -deeply concerned, and should on humanitarian grounds join, although self-interest made it absolutely necessary.