OPEN LETTER

Evening Star, Issue 22275, 28 February 1936, Page 15

OPEN LETTER

SUPPORT FOR THE LEAGUE OF NATIOHS [By Dr E. N. Meerixgtox, President, ■ League of Nations Union, Otago Branch.] Daring the international crisis which has overshadowed the world in recent months, public ' attention has been forced upon the activities, and purpose of the League of Nations. : People who at ordinary times pay no heed whatever to the League—people m all walks of life, from the highest station to the lowest—now realise that it is the central figure in the' world struggle for peace; while even the bitterest critics have been compelled to recognise in the League the only 1 international force, which, if fully effective, can ensure permanent security. Some of these people have been forced almost against their own will to think about the League of Nations, for normally they regard the League as something which does not concern them—--something remote and obscure which should be left to the statesmen of the world to handle. Yet their indifference is the only factor that is holding the League back. It is a truth which cannot he denied that if the people of the world make up their minds to have peace, there shall be peace. , . “ But,” they will say, “ nobody is mad enough to want warOf course, nobody wants war; but how can the warlike ambitions of the nations be foiled except by active work for peace?, The success of any organisation depends upon the active support of its members. This applies perhaps moia forcefully to the League of Nations than to any other organisation for; the forces working against the League are _ so great that unless it is backed by a strong body of public opinion it cannot succeed. Yet, if given the wholehearted support of those who really want peace, it can become an irresistible dictator of peace. . The normal attitude of the man m the street towards the League of Nations is; “ It is too big a question for me to tackle. What can I do to help?, I am only one person.” ■ If everyone adopts a similar attitude, where is the League going to get the support to which it is entitled? If the people of the various countries lose their interest in the League, how can they expect their Government and delegates at Geneva to prohteina of - peace which are continually b ein S discussed there? . • , Governments send their delegates to Geneva with instructions to do .what they consider to be the desires °f r people. Tbev can hardly be blamed if, when compelled to act without direction from "the people, their decisions 81 Those "who ’say that ■public cannot influence the League of Nations decisions'.will be enlightened to .know that on two occasions recently tno public opinion of Britam-as, expressing the common people following the ordinary pursuits of life-was actually responsible for saving the League of N BjS has lately been the acknowledged leader of the great Powers in their discussions at Geneva. VVhate , Britain said was usually followed by the other members. ; This fact was readily appi eciated ibe neonle of England, who decided to takers hand in influencing- the decisions of their- Government -toward?- j the League effective, just at a tu “ f then the League was m danger of b6 First C of^af^th^peopfe"responded to the now famous Pence Ballot. b an overwhelming vote showed suppmt for the League and for the cause or peace. This peace ballot decision enabled ' the British Government to go ahead with confidence and take the leadership of the nations, knowing that it had the backing of its people. The subsequent discussions at Geneva, when Britain determinedly upheld the League as the essential , machinery of peace, showed clearly how effective puhho opinion had become. , . ... • . , , The second occasion upon which public opinion in Britain showed itself was a month or two ago, when a plan tor the settlement of the Italian-Abyssinian conflict was being discussed. The. proposals were such that, had they been adopted, victory would have been given to Italy, the aggressive and offending nation, but the people of Britain sawin the adoption of this plan a frustration of League principles,, and a. miscarriage of justice. . . . They rose to the occasion so strongly and expressed their opinions sp vigorously that the Government dropped the peace plan and decided once more to support the League to. its utmost. These two illustrations emphasise the value and the power of public opinion, yet, what can one country do on its own? If the League is to be made a complete success, the support of the people of all member States will be necessary. New Zealand belongs to the League of Nations, and the obligation to support it is just as great here .as on the other side of the world. How can that be done? The simplest way in which the ordinary citizen can do effective peace work is by being an active member of a peace organisation which supports the League and its ideals. Such an organisation is to be found in the League of Nations Uni_°n, which has branches throughout. New Zealand and . whose members aro working energetically year in and year out towards the greater recognition of the League. Many people perhaps have not the time to devote to active [peace work. If their sympathy is in the work they may help by contributing towards the funds of the League of Nations Union in order that this body may be able to carrv on its great work more successfuly than at present.' Membership fees are small; yet the small fee* ■will amount up to large sums if every citizen will display his sympathy in a practical manner. All information is obtainable from the secretary, Stuart street. Dunedin. If the common people of the world do not stir themselves and assist in the work for peace, the boys and girls of to-day may have to face a crisis far more dreadful, than did their father* and grandfathers in 1914. It is an ideal well worth working for; it is a responsibility no true citizen can afford to ignore. To join the League of Nations Union means such a small sacrifice for an individual; yet jt means so much to those who are devoting their lives to making the world safe for tht future..