LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15034, 4 September 1922, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

SESSION INAUGURATED “CLINCHING THE NAILS.” FINANCE A DIFFICULT PROBLEM. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received September 4, 12.30 p,m. GENEVA, September 3. The Archbishop of Canterbury’ delivered to the League of Nations an inaugural sermon in the Cathedral of St. Pierre. Lord Balfour read the lessons and many delegates were present. Archbishop Davidson said lie believed that the League might go far to make the Kingdom of God a reality in our lifetime, but it was vain to talk of rightec usness of God while the monstrous arbitrament of war. was impending. The foremost thinkers, statesmen and rulers of Christendom had thrown their strength into devising plans to make war impossible. In the meantime they might surely say that militarism had fashioned its coffin, and they were there to clinch the nails. Seme nations arc not paying their contributions, and others are paying on the reduced scale proposed last year, but which arc still not .available. The League authorities are in a serious quandary, and are disinclined to insist on a higher scale. They cannot enforce payments, even in the case of defaulters, and some c,f the smaller nations have suspended their contributions pleading national poverty, and Ihe League shrinks from expulsion, fearing a break in the League; nevertheless, unless the finance is strengthened or the expenditure curtailed, some forsee gradual disintegration. Sir James Allen (New Zealand) the solo British member of the Finance Committee, has been attending the committee for several days.- He admits that the finances require very grave consideration. Received September 4, 1.30 p.m. LONDON, September 3. The Australian press is informed that a very grave question facing the League of Nations in Hie coming year is finance, because the League’s resources are shrinking, while its activities are expanding.