League of Nations Union

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 88, 14 April 1938, Page 10

League of Nations Union

ANNUAL REPORT OF PALMERSTON NORTH BRANCH. “la presenting this report for the year jTKT’fffiflWfl ire tan chroniele at the outset a year of progress both financially and in the interests of members and the public generally, 11 states the annual report of the Palmerston North branch of the League of Nations Union. 4 ‘During the year four public meetings were held. The addresses delivered were of a high standard and we are specially indebted to Professor Wood, the Dominion president, for a very able survey of world affair., at the May meetings. The branch has now a membership of 65 members and 56 of these members receive the official monthly publication of the League of Nations Union, “Headway." The financial statement discloses a small credit balance on the years workings. The thanks of the branch are due to Mr S. J. Bennett, the indefatigable secretary, whose energies, ability, and efficiency have •been freely given to the work and to Mr L. Hardy, the treasurer, for his careful attention to the financial matters and to Mr H. B. Reid who was in charge of the publicity branch during the year The executive would also record it appreciation of the excellent work of the Ladies ’ Social Committee and its deep regret at the untimely passing of Mrs A. M. Lascclles, a keen worker on the committee. “During the year the international skies have been heavily clouded and charged at times with threatening possibilities, and the League has had its failures. Greatly weakened by the withdrawal of Germany, Italy and Japan, Major powers, from its deliberations, its mana has declined in the estimation and hope of a world that once thought it would bring the millenium. It is our opinion, however, that those nations that have withdrawn from the League will one day clamour to be readmitted, for one thing is certain, this world of nations will not be content to risk a “smash and grab policy" developing to their complete economic anu financial breakdown. Each nation, as we see it, must sooner or later come to realise that to disregard the just interests of other nations is not only a blunder, bringing grave suffering to all, but a crime which will surely be most icverely punished by events; but that intelligent seif interest, which appreciates that in so far as each person of each nation contributes to the common prosperity bringing in turn greater prosperity for each person and each nation. Prosperity for each nation through the prosperity of all nations is lasting. Prosperity at the expense of other nations is not only ephemeral but sooner or later very costly. The experience of modern time proves beyond doubt that nations which seek to be

servants and not the masters of the world are those which attain great well being. Service not conquest is the way to Peace, since this happy state of affairs can only be brought about with a frame-work such as the League of Nations. Victory may not be near for the enemy lies entrenched in millions of years of history and psycology and finds constant battalions of new allies in fear, mob feeling, selfishness, provincialism, and money-greed. Peace can no more be established by simply sitting back and wishing for it than can murder be abolished by saying it is unkind. Ramparts must be built; institutions and courts created, new channels of communication and of thought opened up. Great progress has been made in 20 years. What a change indeed, when delegates from 60 nations meet automatically once a year, in full public session, with the press of the world at their elbows? When the delegates meet every three months to expedite their programme 1 That experts in economics, communication, transit, health, mandates, opium, child-welfare come together and add their contribution to the general welfare. There is now a common home of the nations, an international civil service, a centre of international wireless news. Friends of the League regard the question of reform of the League, not as a sign of weakness but as a sign of strength. At this moment for instance Governments might easily be saying:—“Well, that that, it was a fine idea but it did not work; let us get on with something else." As a matter of fact they are saying the exact opposite. They are asking why it has not always succeeded and what they must do to make it sure of success in the future. The present moment is critical for world peace. It requires faith and hope, but above all, courage from those who believe in, and desire, x’cacc. The old forces that have cursed mankind since the dawn of history are on the march, the enemies of peace are in full deploy; the moment has come for those who want peace to house from their lethargy and fight for it, realising that no cause, no matter how worthy, was ever won without struggle and sacrifice.