LEAGUE OF MOTHERS.

Hutt News, Volume 9, Issue 15, 18 September 1935, Page 5

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS.

r LOWER HUTT BRANCH. ANNUAL COMBINED MEETING. The annual combined meeting of tlie Lower lint I branch of (he League of .Mothers held recently in the King George Hull attracted a large audience despite the wintry conditions prevailing. The platform, bright with spring bulbs, pussy willow and bowls of white blossoming may, provided a cheerful contrast to the bleak conditions outside. Airs. E. Dawson, vicepresideut, occupied the chair. After making sympathetic reference.to the president, Airs Lowe, who was absent through illhealth, she heartily welcomed the husbands who were present as guests of the league. After the usual business procedure, Mrs. W. Burgess sang with lightness and clarity "Spring's Awakening" responding with "Three Little Owlets." "My (Ships" was sympathetically recited by Airs. Charlesworth, the humorous encore "In the Usual Way" proving very popular. The league choir, ■conducted by Airs. E. Dawson, contributed "Belover, I'. is Morn," and "Not Understood" two numbers which were a delight- to listen to. Bouquets were presented to Alesdaines Mash, Bur. gess, Charlesworth aud Andrews and a posy of violets, fresias and maidenhair fern was sent to the abseut president, Airs, Lowe,

League of Nations. ilr. W. Nusli, M.l'.. llu-n gave an illuminating and intoicMing addiest. on (ho League of -N;itiuiK. lie said tlult formed in the League now bad 57 nations aftiliatnl with it, but it had lost Japan and Germany because they wen; not prepared to fulfil their obligations. All members, said l iTr. Nash, were bound by the Cuvenunt, New Zealand was a member, and, being also bound by the Covenant, might very shortly have to make monienteous decisions. Article Ten of the Covenant guaranteed the territorial integrity of each member. Article Lievcu stated that all threats of war were the concern of the League. Article Ten was the article round which the present discussion at Geneva were being concent rated. Article Si\teen dealt with .-auctions, and might shortiy become of exceeding importance to all members ot' .he Li a gue, New Zealand included. It' sanctions were carried out against a nation, it meant that all members ceased to have any trade, financial or political relations with tint nation, which was deemed tc have commit led an act of war against all other nations, Two Roads • In the present crisis two roads w. re open to the League. Italy might be allowed to g„ on wiln her war against Abyssinia, which would at once open the door to the r!d Imperialism, or war Oi sanctions could be applied. II sanctions were applied we should Lave to face the fact that it might i..enu war. u should i' 1 ren enibered howev"'. ih.it Italy w : nation of Hi.OiH'.lHlil j,(,;.1c with 10 pare 'o which to migrate, and' that she was a country poor I*,, natural re>our-'c>. She had l.een promised compensation for coining into the war. but had received no extra teiTitory. Germany and Japan had defied the League and had got away with it, and this was encouraging Italy. ll' ftalv were allowed a free hand it would mean the end of the League. Sir Samuel Iluare, continued Mr. Nash, had made a most impi'itant statement when he had' spoken of the right of all nations to the raw materials of the world. We mu-t all remember that nations were not everything. and that manhood must come first. (Applause). There were two nations which were woiking hard and solidly f< -r peace, a;;d they were liussia and Bri.ain, Italy, of course, was claiming that she lmd a right t 0 do what Britain had dune in the past, but it must be remembered that the circumstances were now very different, and also that there was thea no League of Nations. A very great step in the settlement of all disputes would be the giving of an assurance that the raw materials of the woild were available tc all who needed them.

Achievements of the League. Mr, Na>h thru went on lu ileal witli the achievements of tlie League. Il had settled thirty or Jorty dispe :es, stamped out disease in many country, cared for refugees, helped China in times uh' famine and flood. I'reeil IjoU.O'jU slaves in addition lu 1.-jO.i'UU freed in Abyssinia, had almost abolished' the ■white slave trallie, had done much t(. control the drug tralHc, and, through the international Labour Olliee, had done a great deal to stabilise con utious of work in all countries. Peace and prosperity, concluded Mr Nash, could only come by collecti. e security and co-operation, both natin.al and international. (Applause). On the motion ot' Mrs. 11. B. Bennett, seconded by Mis, L, Dawson, Mr Nash was accorded a cordial vote ef thanks, At the cli'.-e ol' the address Mr. 11, 1). Bennett moved a very hearty vote of thanks to the speaker this being carried with acclamation, Mr. Kersley en behalf of tlu 1 quests, thanked the committee and members for the informative and pleasant evening, predicting that September HKjlti would witness a still bigger muster of Husbands, Supper and social chat was followed by the singing of 11. IS. Parry's " Jerusalem" by the choir after which the singing of two verses of the National Anthem brought the meeting to u close.