CHANGE OF NAME

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 55, 7 March 1946, Page 6

CHANGE OF NAME

LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION The principal business set down for consideration at the Dominion Conference of the League of Nations Union in Wellington recently was the change of name of the organisation. It was decided that it should in future be known as the United Nations Association of New Zealand. The conference was addressed by Mr. E. P. Hay, the unions solicitor, who submitted a draft resolution for the change of name. The meeting was opened by the president, the Rev. Dr. E. N. Merrington, and subseauently addressed by the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. Appleton). Delegates were present from Auckland, Christchurch. Wellington, Tauranga, Wairarana, Timaru, and Otago branches. The union, Dr. Merrington explained, had been in existence sinep 1919. and over the years had performed valuable educational work in emphasising the necessity for world peace. No other organisation had performed the same functions, but the time had come when the League of ivations had ceased to exist, and its functions had been superseded by the United Nations Organisation, which he called: "The hope of the world for collective security.’

“OUR LAST HOPE.’’ “It is our last hope ior world peace,” said Dr. Merrington, "and it is now necessary for us to align ourselves'with the United Nations. ’ It was essential that faith should be retained in God and mankind, and that all should go forward confident in the future of the United Nations. “There is much discontent and trouble in the world to-day,” declared the Mayor, "and it is most essential that we should retain our faith. Discussions between nations, as between individuals, are all the better for being frank and free, and letting the light? of day into them. People to-day want to know what, is going on.” The Mayor commended the past work of the union, and declared that under its new name it would have the support, of all right-thinking citizens. He thought that the presence of Dutch citizens in New Zealand would have a beneficial effect. “If we can cement those contacts and bring understanding and tolerance into our international relations, we shall be taking a big step forward in achieving our common objective, which is world peace. If we can cement those contacts and bring understanding' and tolerance into our interntional relations, we shall be taking a big step forward in achieving our common objective, which is world peace. If we can kill that jp.’i’it of selfishness which is so evident to-day. and look to the common good of all peoples, then your organisation will be called blessed in years to come.