THE LEAGUE’S FUNCTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 22956, 13 May 1938, Page 8

THE LEAGUE’S FUNCTIONS

No ono who is conscious of the limitations of the League of Nations in coping with international problems of a belligerent nature will expect the dissatisfaction and unpleasantness attached to the Italian conquest of Abyssinia to be removed by the present League Council discussions in a manner thoroughly acceptable to all parties concerned. In the unhappy circumstances, Great Britain’s attitude towards this “ fait accompli ” appears to be wisest, and it is just possible that the resuscitation of an international discussion on the subject will but serve to stir up further acrimony and recriminations. However, if the League, in the meantime, must be considered a doubtful agency for settling major and menacing disputes, it retains sufficient influence in industrial and domestic affairs to warrant conscientious continuation of its operations. The mere fact of giving it even minor work to do may servo to keep the organisation alive until such times as it is considered expedient to attempt once more, perhaps with more universal and heartfelt support, the task of preventing wars and quelling armed threats. Recent information from Geneva states that the Preparatory Committee of the European Conference on Rural Life has held a satisfactory session at which it was proposed to follow up the 1931 European Conference on Rural Hygiene. The 1931 conference proved to be of great use to the Governments grappling with such problems. Since then progress has been made in many countries in matters relating to standards of living, agricultural credits, nutrition, housing, physical education, medical equipment, and sanitation in rural districts, and the combating of diseases. The committee was careful to make it clear that its object was not to prepare a general discussion on agrarian economics. It decided that the agenda should be confined to questions on which the discussions of the conference could be of practical value to the Governments and authorities dealing with problems of rural life. The object is to find how to provide better homes, better education, and improved conditions of work, health, and leisure. The necessary information is to come partly from data supplied by the various European Governments and from reports to be prepared either by one or other of the League technical organisations or other competent international bodies, or else by authorities on the subject who will bo approached for the purpose. Another question discussed at Geneva last month was the legal position of women in different walks of life throughout the world. Investigations are being made by a small group of legal experts who hope that the talks mark an important stage in the movement which has been going on in every country of the world for the entry of women into the full rights and responsibilities of citizenship. From the evidence furnished to them, the delegates to the Assembly appear to be convinced that something must be done to help women to achieve the full rights of citizenship in keeping with their contribution to modern life.