LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 20779, 29 April 1931, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

ANNUAL MEETING OF OTAGO BRANCH That the Otago branch of the League of Nations Union, with its 707 members, was the strongest branch in New Zealand was the statement of the chairman (Rev. 11. 15. Bellhouse) at the annual meeting hold in the Y.M.C.A. last night. There was a good attendance. The annual report of the branch stated, inter alia : The annual conference of the New Zealand branches took place in Timaru, under the chairmanship of ’Dr Gibb, and amongst the delegates were members of Parliament, university professors, university men, barristers, and clergy. The discussions weroupon a high plane, and often spirited. The membership of the Otago branch stands at: One guinea, 122; five shillings, 331; one shilling, 254—total, 707. The corporate members number 40: Church 1. Bible classes 4, W.C.T.11. 7. trade unions 10. secondary schoojs 12, Otago Educational Institute 1, various 3, clubs 2—40. There lias been a loss of the groups in Palmerston and Waikouaiti, owing, possibly, to the omission of any lecturer to stir interest. This will no doubt occupy the attention of the executive when the present financial stringency has passed. In Gore, which is dependent on the farming interest, no fewer than twelve members resigned. The meeting in Gore last year, through Mr Tuckwell’s address, secured a number of new members, and it is these who have now resigned, candidly admitting financial restriction. Mr E. J. Riches is the first member of the International Labour Organisation to visit New Zealand. Dr Fisher took every chance of bringing him in contact with suitable groups, such as the manufacturers’ and employers’ organisations, the trade unions, and university professors. The members of our union .were invited to a reception at the Somerset Lounge. On that evening Sir Charles Statham (president of the Otago branch) and Lady Statham were hosts, and received the guests, ■who attended m largo numbers. Mr Riches spoke to the members of tho University Club. The success of the Roxburgh lecture, when 100 or more attended, was due to Mr Henry Henderson, the local representative, who has enlisted the adherence of no fewer than thirty-five members in that locality. Two meetings of the junior branch at Colnmba College have been held, one under Miss Ft J> Ross, when a general talk and discussion took place. The second meeting was under the new lady principal, who invited Mrs Am.idale of India, to morning tea at Columba College, when Miss Macintosh, members of .the staff, and the junior branch were present. The afternoon tors at' tho Savoy proved immensely successful. Mrs Beneon gave an introductory address. New members joined, and the experiment was voted an unqualified success. Consequently, in October, when Miss Andiews, delegate to the second. PanPacific Women’s Conference, visited Dunedin, this union, in co-operation with the Otago branch of tho Women Teachers’ Association. secured the Tudor Hall for- Saturday afternoon. Miss Andrews gave an account of the conference, and noted tiiat in every one of the five sections the past work of the League of Nations and present activity formed an integral-part of tho subject. On that afternoon at least 250 persons were present. Professor 'looker's lecture' proved very interesting, but it was unfortunate that no fewer than five important lectures and two musical lunctions

took place on tho same evening, depleting the audience. The next effort was tho holding of a stall at the Dunedin Manufacturers’ Industrial Exhibition, which remained open for two weeks. Tho League of Nations Union executive secured a space in the central aisle, well in view from the gallery that housed the tea rooms and cabaret. An effective display was achieved with posters, national flags, etc. Leaflets from Dr Mildred Staley, Mr Airey (Auckland), and Mr Feathorstone (Invercargill), and league books were on exhibition. Addresses by the secretary were given to the Kaikorai and Mosgiel W.C.T.U., to tho St. Kilda Girls’ Club, and to the Women Citizens at Timani. In respect to radio talks, some have been given. A representative is 4 on the Advisory Committee for the children’s session, and although no direct League of Nations matter is accepted, the international feeling has been encouraged by travel story, and “ Big Brother Bill’’ infuses peace m many references. Books, etc., have been supplied to the organiser, who has made use of them.

February brought tho pleasure of a visit from Mr J. V. Wilson, the private confidential secretary to Sir Eric Drummond, the secretary-general to the League of Nations. During his few days in Dunedin lie addressed a number of organisations, and on his way north visited Oamaru and the Waitaki High School. The council is aware of the fact that the work of the union during the coming year will ho much harder because of prevailing economic conditions. It is earnestly Imped, however, that members are alive to the fact that nothing less than world-wide co-operation will re-establish prosperity, and for this reason the work of the union is even more urgent than before. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. The Rev. M. Bellhouse, in moving the adoption of the annual report, said it was the record of a' praiseworthy amount of activity during the year. The membership, which remained fairly strong, was 707, and the branch still had the distinction of being the strongest in the dominion. There were forty corporate members, showing that the branch had the support of a large number of organisations in the city. More support was needed from the public at large. The branch had unfortunately to encounter both indifference and opposition, but at tho same time they were thankful for the support accorded and the great interest taken by members. The finances of tho branch unfortunately were on the verge of exhaustion, there being a balance of £2!) in tho Dunedin Savings Bank, but £l9 7s of that amount was owing to the Dominion Council. In conclusion, the Chairman made, an appeal for greater public support. Mr R. 11. Simpson suggested that industrial unions should have greater representation on tho council of tho branch., The report was adopted. OFFICE-BEARERS. The following office-bearers were elected :—President. Sir Charles Statham; chairman of council, Rev. H. E. Bellhouse ; vice-presidents—Bishop > Richards. the Rev. Dr Herrington, the Rev. A. Astor, and Messrs A. Burn, H. K. Wilkinson, Willi Eels, and Dr A. G. B. Fisher; hon. treasurer, Air Frank laylor; hon. secretary. Mrs Denton Leech; council— Mrs R. Alexander, Mrs J. A. Hanan, Miss M*lntyro, Dr W . J. Muilin Airs W. N. Benson, Miss Roscvear. Miss F. J. Ross, Airs W. Bridgman, Air Lloyd Ross, Air W. R. Brugli, Air R.' H. Simpson, Air James Farouharson, the Rev, E. S. ’luckwell, Air W. T. Wilson, Mr Fred Jones, Air N. S. Woods, Air B. Hamilton, Aliss Black, Air Hayes. A PETITION. Air A. Burn said it was intended to present an Empire-wide petition to the World Disarmament Conference of the League, to be held next year, and he moved that it be supported and signed .by members of the branch, ihc petition read: — “ Empire Wide Petition Declaration on World Disarmament—To bo presented to the World Disarmament Conference of the League of Ntaions. Men and women, irrespective ol party. Ihey are ■ convinced: That competition in armaments is leading all countries to ruin without bringing them security; that this policy renders further wars inevitable; that wars in future will be wars of indiscriminate destruction or human life; and that the Governments assurance of peaceful policy will bo valueless so long as those measures of disarmament are delayed that should bo tho first result of the I’act ior tho Renunciation of War'.” Air Burn said the world was at present spending £800,000,000 a year m armaments. In these days ot financial strain it was impossible ta continue spending such an amount as in the past. The money could be spent in ways that were beneficial instead of m ways that were harmful. The world looked to Great Britain to lead the way in this respect, and Britain should be proud to do so. Tho motion was carried.