The Timaru Herald FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1936 WHY MR JORDAN ASKED A QUESTION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20532, 25 September 1936, Page 8

The Timaru Herald FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1936 WHY MR JORDAN ASKED A QUESTION.

Seldom is it ordained that a delegate to a Geneva Conference jumps into world prominence by asking a simple question. Men sometimes come and men go in the councils of the nations without very much being heard of them; indeed, the everyday discussions in the gatherings such as the Assembly of the League of Nations are seldom considered of sufficient importance to justify full reports being given world-wide circulation. But the New Zealand delegate on the Credentials Committee of the League of Nations has thrust himself into world prominence bj- merely asking a question. That the question was of the highest importance is shown by the consequences. Before the question was asked some doubt was expressed as to the chances of Ethiopia being permitted to participate in the deliberations of the Assembly of the League of Nations. The predominance of force seemed overpowering. It had been suggested that Ethiopia, as a vanquished country, should be denied representation on the League, despite the validity of membership. Even the Secretary-General of the League made journeys to Rome for the purpose of sounding Italy in relation to her attitude to Geneva, and the chances of an Italian representation returning to Geneva. While in Rome the League official was given to understand that Italy would resume here normal relationship with the League if her victims in Africa were denied representation. And the stage seemed to set to placate militant Italy by grievously humiliating battered Ethiopia. Then Mr W. J. Jordan, the New Zealand delegate on the Credentials Committee of the Assembly of the League of Nations asked a question that will become historic: ‘‘Who has denied the Emperor’s right to fight his case before the League?” The cable messages this morning say that nobody replied. But Mr Jordan’s question demanded an answer. Even in those moving circumstances, the French representative attempted to sidetrack the issue by again insisting on the importance of bringing back Italy into the concert of Europe. But we are told that not even the French delegate challenged the right of Ethiopia to sit in the Assembly of the League of Nations. And to-day, because no answer was forthcoming to Mr Jordan’s question, Ethiopia has had preserved to her the right to sit in the Assembly of the League, and present her case against Italy. In a word, the cunningly laid schemes of the Italians to trick the League of Nations into tacitly committing itself to official approval of recourse to force, that gave the Italian arms their victory, have ignominiously failed, because Mr Jordan asked a question. Obviously, the only answer that would satisfy the New Zealand delegate was the defeat of the Italian intrigue and the triumph of collective action. Manifestly Mr Jordan’s question attracted world wide attention because all enlightened and progressive peoples were asking the same question. If, as the cable messages suggest, Mr Jordan’s question was the source of embarrassment to some delegates, it was, in effect, the most effective air-clearing move that has been made at Geneva for some time, because Mr Jordan not only spoke for New Zealand in demanding fair play for Ethiopia, but he constituted himself the mouthpiece of the great heart of humanity, which sympathises with slaughtered Ethiopia, and longs for the days when the League will right the great wrong done that unhappy country by the failure of the League of Nations to stand courageously behind collective security in the outlawing of war as an instrument of national policy. THE Y.W.C.A. AND Y.M.C.A. APPEAL. No era that has yet dawned in New Zealand has brought such difficult and varied problems to those who are interested in the welfare of youth, as the one now coming in with the enforcement of the Government’s almost revolutionary industrial and commercial legislation. All associations and organisations that are charged with the task of providing facilities for the recreational training and intellectual guidance of youth are finding themselves in serious difficulties, because of the calls made upon them to provide healthy interests to occupy the increased leisure now being enjoyed by large sections of the community; indeed, such worthy organisations as the Y.W.C.A. and the Y.M.C.A. will find it increasingly difficult to meet these new and increasing demands of youth. The progressive reduction of working hours and ’ the proportionate increase in hours of leisure confront the country with a new problem—education for leisure. The kindred associations which to-day are making a joint street appeal for financial help to enable them to carry on their good work, are entitled to anticipate a generous response, particularly because of the highly important community service they are rendering in providing a training ground for youth in days when extended leisure hours will make heavier calls upon the resources of both organisations if they are to function to full capacity and live up to their lofty ideals. TOWN PLANNING FOR TIMARU. Notwithstanding the almost overwhelming distractions that attract the every day attention of the average citizen in the events of international and national importance and significance, the people of Timaru, who are interested in the orderly development of the borough, ought not to overlook the opportunity offered them to-night to study at close range,.with the assistance of the guidance and advice of the borough engineer, the intricacies and the scope of modern systems of town planning. The meeting arranged to take place in the Little Playhouse this evening will afford property owners and the general body of residents, an opportunity of voicing their protests before the Timaru town-planning plan is put into effect. The purpose of the meeting is to attempt to harmonise the ideas of all sections of the community, and meet objections, particularly of those who have displayed sufficient interest in town-planning to submit their ideas for the consideration of the Timaru Borough Council. It is well for the people of Timaru to realise that, within a few days a. Commission will visit, Timaru to review the town-planning plan for the borough, and then make final representations to the Minister who will give legislative effect to the accepted proposals. It is realised, of course, that town planning must come, but the authorities will of course not contest the inalienable right of the townspeople of Timaru to have their say in shaping lhat| plan. II is therefore of the highest importance that I anyone who has ideas on town planning, which would I be desirable and practicable for Timaru, ought, to attend | to-night’s meeting and give the authorities the benefits of their considered eonrl unions, before the issue goes, finally to the Town-Planning Commission. I