LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23558, 22 July 1938, Page 15

LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION

OTAGO BRANCH ANNUAL REPORT The eighteenth annual report of the Otago branch of the New Zealand League of Nations Union states, inter alia:— The membership roll has a total of 533, These are divided into corporate and personal members. Among the corporate members are schools and educational bodies, colleges, business firms, clubs, libraries, the Federation of University Women. Bible Class Union, branches of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and the Women’s Division of the Fanners’ Union, and groups of a few individuals. The special feature of the 1937 season has been the series of six public meetings, with lectures on the urgent problems of the day. given by members of the council having special knowledge of their subject. The opening lecture was given by the president, just returned from Geneva his subject being “The Future of the League.” Later he spoke on “The Yosemite Conference” and “The Problem of the Far East.” Dr Billing dealt exhaustively with the claim by Germany for the return of her colonies as being essential to her for the supply of raw materials. The Rev J. Douglas Smith urged that, no matter what apparent reason had been given by statesmen and historians of that day. the real cause of war was and always had been economic. Professor R Souter gave a frank exposition of the American attitude towards European politics and towards the League of Nations. The season closed with an “ at home ” to welcome the return from Europe of our early members —Mrs J A. Hanan and Professor W B. Benham F.R.S. Both gave most interesting descriptions of what they had seen The annual conference took place in Wellington. The following delegates were appointed to represent

Otago:—Mrs C. Mackie Begg, Mrs Denton Leech and Mr J. Arthur Wilkinson. The conference was faced with an overcrowded agenda, as well as with the new draft of the constitution, necessitated by the fact that the New Zealand League of Nations Union is now an incorporated society. The Schools Education Committee, by the special request, of the secondary schools of Dunedin, did not function during 1937. The outbreak of an epidemic of infantile paralysis in the early months of the year caused the school curriculum to be greatly disorganised. For many years the schools’ demonstration has been a special feature of our work and will be resumed this year again. In August the secretary (Mrs Denton Leech) spent a week in Roxburgh where Mr H. Henderson has for many years done yeoman service for the cause of the League of Nations, and in the face of many difficulties He is still a keen worker, and he cooperated heartily in making the visit fruitful. The culmination of the week’s work was an address by Dr Merrington to a full house. Members of the Returned Soldiers’ Club were present in force to honour their former padre In Port Chalmers the union is indebted to Mrs John Watson for her enthusiasm. Gore and Mataura were visited in February, when 49 calls were made. The membershin in Balclutha and Milton is satisfactory. The Youth Group is formed by young people who have left their school days behind them; some are University undergraduates; some are in business. They have their own committee and are solely responsible for their programme and meetings Fewer meetings were held in order that the members could attend the series of lectures In July the group convened a meeting with the object of forming an Otago branch of the New Zealand Youth Peace Council, affiliated to the World Youth Peace Council. This meeting was attended by representatives of over 30 different organisations of young people, and resulted in the formation of the present Otago branch. The newly-formed body, with the help of the Youth Group, held a public meeting in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall in connection with the civil war in Spain. During the year the union has had the co-operation of the Institute of Pacific Relations in its meetings, and in its turn collaborated with the Otago Bible Society when the Rev. G. W, Sheppard came from China, with the Women’s Co-operative Guild to hear Lieutenant T Spiller. lately fighting in Spain on behalf of the Loyalist Government; and with the Y.W.C.A. to welcome Miss K. Courtney, a speaker of international repute and an expert on the problem of disarmament and the League in general Kaitangata Coal always gives satisfaction —obtainable from all coal merchants. —Advt Because of the risk of fire, the boiler-house which supplies the heat for the National Gallery, London, is built on the other side of a side street.