LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 165, 13 June 1936, Page 11

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

ITS WORK JUSTIFIED. UNION BRANCH FORMED. The decision to form a branch of the League of Nations Union in Palmerston North was made after a public meeting had been addressed, in the Municipal Hall last evening, by Professor F. L. tV. AVood, who occupies the Chair of History at Victoria College and is president of the New Zealand League of Nations Union. Professor AA r ood aimed to justify the need for the existence of the League of Nations, and to clear up some misunderstandings concerning its activities. The Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) presided. * Had the League of Nations failed and should it be abandoned? asked Professor AVood. Professedly, its main aim was to stop future conflicts after the deep impressions left by the tragedy of the Great AA 7 ar, but it had marked humanitarian and sociological functions. The machinery of the League had failed to prevent the Gran Chaco AA 7 a.r, the Japanese conquest of Manchuria and the Italian invasion of Abyssinia. ■These were claimed to be its spectacular failures to prevent violence and aggression, and they had culminated, in March of this year, in Germany’s violation of her pledged word. It had been said that the League was a mystic and impossible ideal, because it was human nature to fight, and this could not be changed. It was urged that armament was the best form of defence. Even if the League had failed as hopelessly as was asserted bv some, that did not necessarily imply that _ it should be destroyed, the speaker said. It was nonsense to claim that human nature had riot progressed, and that it would go on being the same old dismal thing for ever. It would progress, but progress meant the sacrifice of some selfish rights and motives, and the absolute surrender of hatred and vindictiveness. Human instincts could be changed and moulded, and even if the League had failed completely, it should be supported, because it was on the right lines. ON THE CREDIT SIDE.

In discounting failures against the League, one should also place its. successes to its credit balance. It had stopped a dozen potential wars, and well-informed judges had stated that if the League of Nations had not been in existence there would have been a world war now through Germany’s violation of the Locarno Pact and occupation of the Rhineland. The League had been a factor in keeping the peace, and Germany had been unwilling to fly in the face of organised world opinion. There was another aspect, continued Professor AVood, and that was the fact that Japan, Italy and Germany, believing themselves wholly right, had each advanced a case in justification of their actions. There were many conflicting arguments in the background of international affairs, and it was very difficult to assign the blame. No court of justice must condemn before the facts were established. The League of Nations was held culpable for failure to frustrate armed conflicts, but it had to act with the unanimous consent of all within its group. It was a fallacy to blame the League when all its component nations had not acted in accordance with the Covenant. Oil sanctions had not been applied against Italy because some nations would not take the risk. For the sake of collective security, all must be prepared ,to come forward and make sacrifices, ' said _ Professor AVood. Britain was once a virtually invincible Power, and could stand alone economically. The Empire was now more vulnerable, and for universal protection the League must be sustained. AA’hen its weaknesses were exposed, thy should be strengthened. NATIONAL HATREDS.

The world to-day was pregnant with the dangerous possibilities of war. National hatreds had flamed anew and the rearmaments race was on. Nations were forming alliances and economic problems were threatening. Unless something was done there was a very grave danger of another world war, with its horror and destruction, in a few years. Individuals could do something to arrest this movement, hut not much. It was the sharing of ideals and a firmly welded public opinion that gave impetus to movements for better understanding and tolerance. The Institute of International Affairs existed primarily in New Zealand for the study of these things. The League of Nations Union functioned to serve the general principle of seeking for international peace. Those impressed with the gravity of the situation could make a practical step towards its relief by joining the League of Nations Union. AA 7 orld affairs had rarely, if ever, been in a more critical state than at present, concluded Professor AA 7 ood. Replying to questions, the speaker stated that the logical course in the iong run was an armed international police force for the preservation of peace, but he doubted the practical possibility of making the suggestion for some time yet. Furthermore, it would depend for its success on there being no opposition. Mr A. M. Lascelles moved that a branch of the League of Nations Union be formed in Palmerston North and a provisional committee of six be set up to bring down a constitution and call a further meeting. Seconded by Mr J. Murray, the resolution was carried unanimously, it being decided that the committee should consist of Mrs A. E. Mansford. Miss P. Kindle, Messrs J. Murray, A. M. Lascelles, S. J. Bennett and Rev. J. Hubbard, M.A. The speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mill übbard.