LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION

Evening Star, Issue 21093, 4 May 1932, Page 2

LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION

OPERATIONS OF OTAGO BRANCH A SUCCESSFUL YEAR The annual meeting of tho Otago Branch of tho Noav Zealand League of Nations Union Avas held in the Y.M.C.A. last night, tho Kw. H. E. Bcllhouso presiding o\ - cr a largo attendance of members. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. Moving the adoption of tho annual report, the Chairman said that they Avould bo struck by the very creditable record of tho Otago branch of tho union during tho past year. Their activities AA-cro varied, and no fcAver than t\A-cnty-livc lectures had been given. A largo number of meetings had been hold in Dunedin and clscAvhcrc, and their activities indicated a very praisoAvorthy enthusiasm on the part of tho Dunedin branch. It was rather regrettable that tho membership had declined from 700 the previous year to 659, but the branch still occupied the proud position of having the largest membership in the dominion. (Applause.) The League of Nations Union in tho Old Country numbered just on a million members, and if the Ncav Zealand Union secured as many relatively, it Avould be 100,000 strong instead of having the 1,400 members it had at present. It was most desirable that there should bo a \ - ery large increase in their membership throughout the dominion. Tho feature of tho year Avas the model assembly organised and held in September last. It Avas a magnificent success, and useful in providing education to tho citizens of Dunedin in regard to tho Avork and objects of tho League of Tho branch oAved much to tho indefatigable Work of their esteemed secretary (Mrs Denton Leech). She Avas tho moving factor behind the model assembly, and any success achieved during the year aviis duo to her A'cry faithful and valuable services. (Applause.)

“it cannot bo denied that tho League of Nations lias been somewhat under fire, particularly in regard to the state of warfare between China and Japan,” said Mr Bellhousc. The League had been criticised because of its seeming ineffectiveness and failure to stop hostilities, and they did not undertake to defend it. Ho thought perhaps it had shown a little bit of hesitation and timidity, but its work was carried on under great difficulties. China had appealed to the League, but Japan did not do so, and Japan refused to recognise its jurisdiction. He emphasised what had already been the subject of emphasis, that though tho work of tho League might not have been so satisfactory as it might have been and should have been, had it not been for tho presence of tho League and its executive, conflict would have extended considerably, and brought about another terrible war. Tho chief event this year had been the Disarmament Conference at Geneva in February. It coincided with tho clash of arms in the Far East, and yet it was recognised by all impartial judges that tho League had begun its sessions in quite heartening fashion, and despite the difficulties encountered had been able so far to register some success. Whatever tho imperfections of the league, it was tho only agent standing between them and another war, and because of that it should receive the enthusiastic support and warm-hearted co-operation of all forward-thinking people. (Applause.) Mr Willi Fcl.s seconded the motion, and said that he was sure good would corao from their combined efforts. Out of 8,000,000 names from the British Empire, signatures of which had been forwarded to tho Disarmament Conference at Genova, 40,000 names had been signed in Now Zealand. Though no result had been achieved so far, Jet them hope that better counsels would prevail at Geneva this month. (Applause.) Tho report was adopted, and the adoption of tho balance-sheet was moved by Mr James Earquharson, who said that tho branch had a credit balance of £35 8s sd, an increase of about £ls over that of the previous year. Air James Hogg seconded the motion, which was carried. ELECTION OF COUNCIL. Tho election of council resulted: Patron, tho Mayor (Mr 11. S. Black); president, Hon. Sir Charles Statham, M.P. ; chairman of council, Bov. 11. E. Bellhousc; vice-presidents—Hon. W. Downio Stewart, M.P., Right Rev. Bishop Richards, Rev. Dr Mcrrington, Dr A. (I. R. Fisher, Messrs A. Burn, H. K. Wilkinson, and Willi Eels; council—Mosdamcs W. N. Benson, J. A. Hamm, Misses B. M'intrye, Rowell, B. Rosovcar, N. Hardie. Very Rev. Dean Cniickshank, Dr W. Mnlliii. Messrs James Earquharson. James Hogg, I). Hamilton. R. Harrison, E. Hayes, F. Jones, M.P., T. C. Ross, Lloyd Ross, N. S. Woods, and the Rev. E. S. Tuckwoll; lion, treasurer, Air Frank Taylor; lion, auditors—Messrs Barr, Burgess, and Stewart.

RESOLUTION PASSED. A resolution was moved by Mrs A. Watson expressing tho sympathy of the branch with the measure of public opinion striving to restrain tho militaristic policy in Japan, a copy of the resolution to be forwarded to tho League of Nations Union of Japan. Mr Hunter seconded the motion, which was carried.