LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 115, 17 May 1930, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

THE WANGANUI BRANCH '

ADDRESS BY MR A. DOUGLASS, B.Sc. A meeting of the local branch of the League of Nations Union was held in the studio of Mr Milne Allen, photographer, StcGruer’s Buildings, on Wednesday evening, when upwards of 70 persons attended to listen to a lecture by Mr Arthur Douglass, B.Sc., headmaster of the Friends’ School, St. John’s Hill. The Venerable Archdeacon Creed Meredith occupied the chair and briefly introduced and welcomed the lecturer. His Worship the Mayor sent an apology for absence. Mr Douglass thanked the chairman for his welcome and said that he was very glad to ' come before so many Wanganui people, who were there to show their interest in the great work of the League of Nations. In any place in Europe there was no difficulty in maintaining that interest, but at such a distance as this, there was a difficulty, and he would do his best to overcome the distance.

If any of those present that evening intended to take a trip Home he would r-lvise them to put in a week at Geneva, in September. They would then have the pleasure of seeing and perhaps even meeting the leading statesmen of the world. The main Assembly, Mr Douglass said, met only once a year, when the foremost men in the world’s politics sat together in conference to further the peace of the world These meetings were different entirely from diplomatic conferences; there was no strain lest a statesman should say something ungarded which would have the effect of committing his government to a course which it might not approve of. The hall was filled with spectators only in proportion to the importance' of the speakers for the day. If Ramsay Macdonr.id or M. Briand was to be spchking the hall would be packed. The lecturer said that one feature of the speeches was their evident earnestness and sincerity. They were plentifully interspersed with scriptural quotations and many of them sounded like sermons. It might be said that Herr Stresemann actually gave his life for world peace. He attended the Assembly when he was quite unfit for the exertion of doing so; he tried three times to deliver his address and had to desist; but he finally succeeded, and this effort most probably hastened his death. The meeting of the Council is held at the same time as the Assembly, but it may be held at any time. It may also be held at any other place than Geneva, but it has nearly always been held there. Then there are six “Commissions.” or Committees, which also may be held at any time or place, which deal with special branches of the League’s business. The Secretariat consisting of the paid workers in the League’s service, is a very important and numerous body, and is presided over by Sir Eric Drummond, a highly responsible and efficient man. Even’ day Professor Zimmern lectures at 9 a.m., telling visitors what is the business for the day, and also what were the salient points in yesterday’s business.

The lecturer stated that the proceedings of the League concerned 56 out of 66 of the States of the world. All treaties between nations are sent to the Secretariat of the League and registered, copies being sent to all members of the League. Some interesting pictures were screened from a Baloptikon lantern operated by Mrs Douglass. One picture showed a battleship which ost £7.000.000 tc build. This money could have been used to build 18,750 bowses at £4OO each; 375,000 maintenance grants; and over a 'quarter of a million old age pensions. The lecturer deplored the interest that was still taken in military equipment and training. A picture was shown exhibiting a square some 15 inches a side representing the cost of armaments for England for one year, and beside it another square of about one and a-half inches, representing the cost of England’s subscription to the League for five years. The lecturer hoped to see the squares reversed. A hearty vote of thanks was moved to Mr Douglas by Mr James Grant for his able lecture. This was seconded by the Rev. J. Paterson, and carried unanimously. The chairman suggested that Mrs Douglass should receive an equal compliment for her services at the lantern, and this was done. After the public meeting a meeting of the members of the branch was held. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. The bal-

ance sheet which showed a credit of £6 10s was adopted, and the report for the year was received and adopted. The officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: President, Rev. J. Paterson, M.A.; vice-presidents, the Venerable R. Creed Meredith, His Worship the Mayor, Mr A. Goldsbury, Dr G. H. Robertson, and Mr Milne Allcj; Committee, Misses Franklin, Currie. Graham, and Roe, and Messrs Grant, Cyril Goldsbury, and Douglass. Miss A. H. Cole was reappointed secretary and treasurer.

A pleasing item was a nice supper passed round after the meetings ere over, for which Mr Paterson thanked Mr Milne Allen and the ladies, who had taken the trouble of preparing it.