LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 20634, 6 November 1930, Page 8

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

♦ INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION ADDRESS BY PROFESSOR TOCKER “ International Co-operation in Geneva.” was the title of an interesting and instructive address given last night under the auspices of the Dunedin branch of the League of Nations Union by Professor Tocker, of Canterbury College. The meeting was held in the board room of the Public Trust Building, the Rev. 11. E. Bellhouse being in the chair. It was explained by the chairman that Professor Tocker had recently returned from Geneva, where he had represented New Zealand with Mr T. Shailer Weston and Mr J. Roberts. Tbo speakers said he was sure that the presence of these gentlemen in Genova had been of real benefit to New Zealand. Professor Tocker stated that he bad had unusual opportunities of seeing the working of international co-operation at •Geneva. After outlining 'some of tbo changes in human progress throughout the world in tho last fifty years, he said that tho treaty following tho war contained machinery that had for its object tho bringing about of peace among tho nations of tho world. That machinery might bo classed under three heads—(l) the League of Nations, (2) Permanent Court of International Justice, and (3) International Labour Organisation. After describing tho composition of tbo League of Nations, he said its activities were very extensive. The primary purpose of the League was to esstablish international agreements, which would bo ratified by the States interested, and would become international law. He was impressed, when he was at Geneva, by the fact that matters had developed along lines different from those aimed at in tho first instance, and to-day things had been accomplished along the lines directed by the problems that had to be' faced—problems that had not been foreseen. He detailed some of the questions that camo forward for consideration. Many of the matters were of great magnitude, such, for instance, as the repatriation some years ago of a million and a-half Greek people. Each branch of the work constituted an area of ininquiry calling for tho most specialised skill, and to carry out the work a highly skilled and expert staff had been employed. The gold supply of tho world, embracing unemployment, was another branch of tho league’s activities. There were 100 conferences every year in Genova, working quietly and successfully all the time on extremely technical questions, many of an international character. Professor Tocker went on to say that the International Labour office worked on lines similar to those of tho League of Nations. It had highly-trained specialists in its service, drawn from all over the world. At the start it occupied two rooms; to-day it required a large building for its "various departments, well equipped and well staffed. It had extended m directions never anticipated by the founders. The scientific section, for example, dealt with vocational training, statistics, economic problems, labour exchanges, migration, social insurance, agricultural workers, industrial hygiene, and other matters. The office at tho present tiirm was one of tbo greatest research factories in the world, and was unique as a dealing house for labour information. It collected information on every aspect of labour all over tho world. In considering its problems, the office had many difficulties to contend with, not the least of which was language. The duties of the translators into different languages formed an interesting feature of tho proceedings of the conferences. The speaker went into some detail when touching on the conventions respecting forced labour, salaried workers, and other branches of the work of the office. Labour conditions, standards of living, and method of production also camo into tho scope of tho activities of different committees. In referring to achievements of international co-operation at Geneva, ho said that many people had believed that peace, disarmament, and complete social justice would bo brought about. Certainly, these things had not been achieved, but there had come into being ji spirit of co-oporation and a practice of meeting and taking part in discussions, which wore invaluable. In tho past wars had arisen out of misunderstanding- now there was a bettor understanding among nations, following conferences at Geneva, which must have a tremendous effect on the peace of the world. Disarmament had not yet been achieved, but other ways of settling disputes had been opened up, and tho idea was quickly gaining ground that war could bo averted. One came away from Geneva with an idea of the real difficulties and a recognition that the job was a very big one, and that it must be organised and specialised in order to be carried to a successful issue. It must bo admitted that an enormous amount of good bad been achieved, and that tho organisation was worthy of support from every person for the work it was trying to do. On tho motion of tho Rev. E. N. Morrington, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Professor Tocker for his admirable address.