THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19977, 20 December 1926, Page 14

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.

GUEST OF ROTARY CLUB. IMPRESSIONS OF THE LEAGUE. (Feom Oub Own CoBEESPONDEsr.) LONDON, October 23. Sir James Parr was the principal finest at the fortnightly luncheon of the London Rotary Club. He chose as the subject of his address to the members his impressions of the Assembly of the League of Nations. The chairman, after introducing the High Commissioner, made a presentation to him on behalf of the Ponsonby Boys’ Brass Band. This was a framed photograph of the boys with the inscription: “This photograph Was presented to Sir James Parr by the Ponsonby Boys’ Brass Band as a marie of appreciation of the kind interest services rendered bv him to the band. The High Commissioner explained that the band was really a protege of the Auckland Rotary Club. When he was leaving New Zealand the club expressed their desire to make this presentation, but as there was no time they decided to entru-t. their fellow Rotarians in London with the dU Tho Rotary Club and the League cf Nations, said Sir James, had one thing in common. The club had made its way into 35 different nations, a wonderful record of universality. The League of Nations embraced even a wider sphere, for it comprised 50 nations of the world. It was regrettable that the other great Ang'.oSaxon nation was not a member, and one could only fervently hope that the Amencan Republic would join the League, especially as it was for the _ maintenance of world peace. Every racial characteristic was - represented on the League, and there was room for reinforcement of the AngloSaxon influence, for this stood for truth, justice, and equity amongst the nations. “There around that universal table sat those 50 nations,’’ continued Sir James. “On my right, Norway, _ represented by that great figure, Dr Nansen. On t«o other side, the representatives of Panama, Persia, Turkey, sat near those of China and Japan, and great princes from India mingled with the Ethiopians and the re " presentatives of South America. AU these nations have been gathered together tor the purpose of maintaining, if possible, international peace and keeping the world away from future war. There are 40 languages spokj.i. but only two often a I languages. Eighty per cent, of the delegates used French—not flattering to the British, but proving that French is still the language of diplomacy, not, only Europe, but throughout the world. Xlie Chinese, the Japanese, the Scandinavians speak English—most of the others speak French.”

ENTRY OF GERMANY. "There was a thrilling moment when Dr Streseman entered preceding the German delegation. Ten years after the war the Germans came into the Council Chamber. There were strange thoughts in the minds of those 50 nations that day. It was one of the most thrilling moments of my life. And then Dr Stresemann mounted the rostrum. His speech was striking in its lucidity. had been translated into French there arose that great orator, Mous. Bnand, probably the greatest orator in the world. Sitting there facing the citizens of Germany, I shall never forget the wonderful eloquence. Every word, every gesture meant something. ‘Our two nations ’said Mom. Briand. -have fought on a hundred battlefields. We have earned each ot us enough of glory. We want no more glory. Let us have peace.' Indeed, it was a great moment when Germans came into the League of Nations The chief object for all the nations seemed to be to scramble for a seat on the board of directors—the Council. This was the most important official body m the world to-day, and there was still a certain amount of intrigue in evidence. The great object of the League was to secure by arbitration and by disarmament the peace of the world. Let me speak quite candidly. I some disillusion. It is hard to eliminate human selfishness and human strife, and with nations it is the same. It would be impossible to deny that there is a certain amount of intrigue still going on among the nations. But do not let us be carried away by the wrong impression that the League is therefore impotent. Let us keep a sane, and proper perspective. I think you Will come to the conclusion that the League is worth while, I think that is the only fair and honest view to take. Patience and high resolve are necessary. One cannot build this great edifice in a day.”

A LEAGUE WITHIN THE LEAGUE. Already the League had saved us from three wars —minor wars, but minor wars had a habit of bringing about great conflagrations. Thanks to the League, the finances of Austria and Hungary, which were in an awful condition, had been reestablished. Owing to the League’s guidance nearly a million human beings had been repatriated. One Was justified, therefore, in thinking that the League was worth while. But, the High Coramisioner concluded, let us remember that there was room inside the League for the powerful Commonwealth of the British people, which in itself was a great power for justice and peace in the world. Let us always remember the necessity for a strong British navy, which must never be allowed to degenerate into a second-class fleet, for _it was not for aggression, but for the maintenance of unity and justice and right feeling in the world. Therefore, as part and parcel of the League, our duty was to keep our Empire faithful and .strong.