LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16307, 23 December 1920, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

DOMINION DELEGATES. ENTERTAINED IN LONDON. WORK OF GENEVA CONFERENCE REVIEWED. By Telsgtaph—Press Association—Copyright. Amitralina and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 23, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, December 22. _ Tho Empire Parliamentary Association gave a. luncheon to the dominion delegates to tho League of Nations, with tho exception of those spending Christmas in the south, of Franco. Mr Lloyd George, who presided, in proposing the toast of the dominion, /mid ho regretted the absence of the Hon E. D. Millen. Sir James Allen represented New Zealand, which had contributed such wonderful service in the war. The delegates had returned from their great errand of attending the first Parliament of Nations at Geneva. Tho experiment had been launched and a good deal had been accomplished. The most conspicuous thing achieved was tho creation of a Court of Justice. The outstanding fact was that tho nations of the world had been brought together for the discussion of matters which trouble tho peoples of the world. If there had been a League in 1914 there would have been no war, involving 30,000,000 casualties, and tho destruction of untold wealth. They could felicitate themselves on tho lino part tho Empire delegates had played at Geneva. There Were amendments to tho Covenant which were needed to make it effective. 'The League would not achieve its full purpose Until all countries were admitted, and ho was glad to see that certain enemy States had been admitted. He was sanguine that Germany would fulfil her obligations and secure admission without opposition, and ho looked hopefully'to America’s inclusion. Tho question of disarmament had not progressed, and thero would be no real peace among nations bo long as competition in armaments existed. It was no uso establishing a great Peace Association if, _ on the other hand, there was to bo increasing competition in armaments. But all tho nations must enter the Ijeaguo Ixiforo disarmament was possible, otherwise tho nations could not take risks. All must march together in the matter before the League could effectively achieve its aim.

Sir Georgs Foster (Canada), in replying. said tho League had achieved, reasonable results at the first Assembly. Tho manner in which tho delegates from tho various nations learned something of each other was a great achievement, even if nothing else had been achieved. ’ A strong point was that tho League was founded upon an ineradicable ideal to prevent war, and to secure reasonable poaco for the human race. Tho League was not going to full, even if some considerable nations did not enter for a year or two. Ho believed that America would yet become a prominent member. Though tho Covenant was not perfect the Assembly felt it should have a proper trial before being amended on tho spur of the moment. 'Hie League had not received all tho sympathy it should. Many expected great results, which no human power could have produced. ■What was’ wanted was more propaganda, every nation showing what it could do if humanity would give it whole-souled support. Tho British Empire was stronger to-day by reason of the members foregathering at (jeneva.