THE LEAGUE’S SPHERE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 254, 24 September 1935, Page 6

THE LEAGUE’S SPHERE

Strong opposition expressed by Mr S. M. Bruce at Geneva, to the publication at the expense of the League of Nations of ethnological and historical works relating to American civilisation and its origin, should find a ready endorsement. Mr Bruce made it clear that Australia, for whom he spoke, was sympathetic towards the attainment of a high degree of intellectual knowledge, and the inculcation into the youth of a country of the understanding of other nations. With that praiseworthy ideal there can be no disagreement. At the same time, however, it is clearly questionable whether the League, with its restricted finance, should be invited to publish historical works and translate European classics in various languages. The subject is perhaps of more importance than it would have been had members not been lax in the payment of their subscriptions. But in any case, there has been expressed at various times disagreement with some of the League’s activities. Its palatial buildings now under constructions have not escaped criticism for the reason that the cost has largely exceeded the estimates. Again, vast quantities of literature have been published, leading to the condemnation not long ago of a foreign delegate, who declared that a veritable debauch of printed matter had been issued. In another direction certain investigations are declared by critics to be foreign to the League’s correct enterprise, one of them, for example, relating to the habits of deep sea fish. These and other matters may well be regarded as not coming within the functions of the League. In other ways the League has done and still continues to do remarkably efficient work. Its services to countries financially distressed, to refugees in Asia Minor and other States, its health service and war upon opium and trafficking in women are examples of bneficent enterprise that have earned worldwide commendation. At the same time the Secretariat cannot escape the fact that, until, its finances show a considerable improvement, the League must avoid expense in matters which are not essentially withinfits province. Mr Bruce was justified in opposing the Argentine proposal which was responsible for his protest.