“WILL NOT FAIL”

Northern Advocate, 26 March 1926, Page 7

“WILL NOT FAIL”

LEAGUE OF NATIONS,

ACTIVITIES EXPLAINED.

The League of Nations won't fail, and it won’t die simply because of the temporary difficulties it has met with during the past week or two; it has already made a place for itself in the life of the world which it would be impossible to All if the League were destroyed,” said Professor J. B. Condliffe, president of the Christchurch branch of the League of Nations Union, in introducing Mr J. D. Gray, Undersecretary of the Department of External Affairs, who addressed a public meeting under the auspices of the branch on the work of the League at Geneva.

Profesor Condliffe said that it gave him very great ‘pleasure to introduce Mr Gray, because as a New Zealander he had been present at the Assembly of the League last year as a representative of the Dominion. Lately there had been a‘ good deal in the newspapers regarding the political side of the League’s work, but that was not its prime function immediately. It was a co-ordinating body which helped and advised nations to co-operate and work together. It had already undertaken so. many of these functions that it had achieved a place in the life of the world, and the statesmen dare not let it fail because of any crisis that may.

arise. Mr Gray said he had not intended to refer to the incidents of the past week or so, as he really did not regard that deplorable exhibition of intrigue as having any permanent effect on the League whatever. It was only a passing phase in its life, and he had no doubt that the present trouble would disappear, when the Assembly met again in September. The League, he believed, would continue to function, with Germany as a member of the Council. (Applause). If there were still people in New Zealand who Underrated the importance of the League or belittled its influence, said Mr Gray, he could assure them that a visit to Geneva would very quickly and effectively dispel such ideas. It was really very difficult to adequately describe that wonderful gathering that takes place every year in September. The outstanding fact which impressed him while at Geneva was that it was no gathering of small men, of visionaries, or of cranks. The world's leaders were to be found there, and their mental calibre was truly impressive.

1 Mr Gray then proceeded to give a number of interesting particulars of the work actually carried out by the League. The Locarno Pact flowed direct from the Covenant to the League and was in accordance with its spirit. New Zealand, said Mr Gray, was exceedingly well represented at the sittings of the Assembly by Sir Jaines Allen, who was one of the very small number who had the distinction last September of having been present at every sitting of the Assembly.