THE LEAGUE LOOKS AHEAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23574, 7 February 1940, Page 10

THE LEAGUE LOOKS AHEAD

As a natural result of the war belief in the efficacy of the League of Nations as an instrument for the peaceful settlement of international disputes has largely disappeared, but the League itself, fortunately, still remains. Reorganised and reconstituted, when the present turmoil has subsided, it may yet provide the hope for future years. But in the meantime it is well that the League should, continue to function, if only for the prosecution of many of its varied activities not directly concerned with the problems of peace and war. There has been a tendency in the past to regard assemblies at Geneva merely from the political viewpoint of international relations and to overlook the great humanitarian work which has been cained out with no thought for national boundaries. There are men who are determined that these contributions to human well-being shall not cease. A committee of the League is to meet at The Hague to-day to discuss methods of separating this more or loss technical work from ordinary political activities. Under existing conditions the political work of the League has virtually ceased—the expulsion of Russia a month or so ago has not put a stop to the murderous assault on Finland—but those other activities which aim at the promotion of public health, living standards and general culture are just as necessary to the world to-da\ as they are in timo of peace. In the war oil disease, in the suppression of the drug traffic and in its campaign against organised vice, the League has many notable triumphs to its credit, while its association with the International Labour Organisation has resulted in marked improvements in industrial conditions over a wide field. These efforts must be maintained if benefits conferred on civilisation as a whole are not to be swept away in the maelstrom of war.