PROMOTING PEACE..

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13284, 16 June 1936, Page 4

PROMOTING PEACE..

LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION. LOCAL BRANCH MEETS. The second annual meeting of the Pahiatua branch of the League of Nations Union was held in the Borough Council (Chambers last night. The president, Mr H. R. Ogg, presided over a very fair attendance. Apologies were received from Miss Junker, M'ss Milne AJ’an and the Rev. C. M. Roberts. The hon. secretary, Mr G. L. Stafford, presented the annual report and balance-sheet, which were adopted. The annual report read as follows: “The membership of the branch stands at forty and the balancesheet discloses that the financial affairs of tbp organisation are in a sound condition. “During the year your committee met from time to time and dealt with necessary business. There was a most successful reading of the play, “’Ashes of Victory,” presented by members of the drama circle of the branch under the direction of Mr H. R. Ogg. The reading was well attended by members of the Union and by the general public. We are indebted to the ladies of the branch who provided supper after this function.

“A number of members paid a visit to Wanganui at the invitation of members of the Wanganui branch. A telling address was delivered by Archdeacon J. A. Young, M.A. After the meeting the visitors were entertained at the home of the president and his wife, Mr and Mrs G. A. Ammundsen. Members are indebted to Mr Milne Allan through whose good offices this enjoyable trip was made possible. “Mrs H. Paterson represented the branch at the annual conference of the New Zealand Dengue of Nations Union, held in Wellington in August of last year. Tin’s was the ninth annual conference of the Union.

“During the year two of our vicepresidents. Mrs H. Paterson and Mr J D. W ilson, were honoured recipients of the Jubilee medal, and members of the branch, we are sure, extend to them their felicitations.

“It is suggested that our activities be increased for the coming year and that endeavours be made to secure speakers for a number of public addresses, to arrange one or more study groups lor the study of various problems concerning the League of Nations and its work, and to present a suitable play along the lines of the successful function held last year. “In conclusion, it might be stressed that at a time when the efficacy of the League of Nations in world affairs is being freely questioned, those who see in Geneva a safeguard for world peace should be especially active. The framework of the League embodies a great ideal: it expresses more than a pious hope—it stands for the firm conviction that the way of peace is the only way. for individual and national prosperity. The strength ot' the League does not rest ultimately with political leaders, it rests in the weakness or the strength of public opinion. Great political figures either mould unenlightened public opinion or they reflect the opinions of an enlightened public. Public opinion still does, as ir always did, finally decide tieissues of peace or war. Your Union is working for an enlightened public opinion and seeks to promulgate the doctrine that peace and security must be sought not selfishly, but selflessly: not as a policy to be pursued in ‘splendid isolation.* but a policy to be pursued as a collective venture.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. Mr H. R. Ogg, the retiring president, welcomed new members on behalf of the branch. Speaking of the work ot the League of Nations Union, he pointed out that the Union was fostering an interest in the League of Nations ancl was endeavouring to promulgate the idea of the outlawry of war. The failure of the League of Nations in dealing with the Italo-Abyssinian dispute had shaken the confidence of many people in the League. It was really the people and licit the politicians who should decide the question of peace or war because it was the people who paid the penalties of war. The president read a resolution forwarded to the Prime Minister by the New Zealand Council of the League of Nations Union in respect of the Hoare-Laval proposals. The election of officers resuited as follows: President, (Mr H R. Ogg; vice-presidents, Mrs H. * Paterson, M iss McKenny, His AYorsuip the Mayor (Mr . D. Wilson), Rev. K. L. Warren, Rev. C. M. Roberts and Mr 'Milne Allan; hon. secretary and treasurer, Miss 13. Boyd; committee, Misses McKenny and H. Ross, Mesdames J. I). Wilson and K. L. Warren, Messrs Milne Allan, A J. Eairweather and G. L. Stafford. . Mr G. L. Stafford suggested that a number of study circles be formed in connection with the branch this year. He pointed out that members should make themselves familiar with the workings of the League, and should lu.ve definite knowledge concerning its achievements. Mr \V. A. Carthew spoke along similar lines. Members of the Union should be in a position to answer arguments levelled against the League, and this could not be done without definite knowledge. On the motion of Mr Stafford, seconded by Miss Ross, it was decided that a committee consisting of the president, secretary-, Rev K L Warren and Mr G. L. Stafford be sot up to go into this matter Miss Ross proposed that a dozen copies of a school text book on the League of Na+ions be procured and lent to schools in the district. The meeting endorsed til ■ suggestion. The 'meeting concluded with votes of thanks to the chair, the Borough Council for the use of the building, to the retiring secretary and the Press for publicity.