THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16749, 16 March 1926, Page 8

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

BRANCH OF UNION IN HAMILTON THE FIRST ANNUAL MEETING. The Hamilton branch of the League of Nations Union held its first annual meeting last evening. Tlie president (Mr 11. Yalder’i presided over a fair altendanee of members. Jn liis annual report Ihe president slated that the Hamilton branch of the League of Nations Union iiad now completed (he first year of its work. Tlie council of (he branch begs to report as follows:-—Inaugural meeting: The branch was formed at a public meeting presided over tiy his Worship Hie Mayor. Mr J. H. Fow, at the Town Halt on February 9, 1925. The meeting was addressed by Mr J. V. Wilson, of the Secretariat of tlie League of Nalions at Geneva, who explained the constitution of the League (wiih its affiliated bodies), tlie method of dealing with disputes, and routine matters, and, in particular, lold the story of some of the outstanding achievements of the League. At tlie conclusion of the meeting the necessary motions were, carried unanimously for the formation of tlie branch and the election of officers. Constitution and Rules.—The council at a subsequent meeting approved a constitution and rules on tlie. lines of oilier branches. Membnrshp:The total number of members is 03 of whom 30 are £1 10s members, 25 arfc 5s members, and 8 are Is members. Finance: The balance-sheet shows a credit of £5 IGs 7d. Work of the Branches. The work of the union is mainly educational. Even now the average citizen is ill-informed concerning matters which arc of vital ntcrest to the future of the nations. Even Hie issues raised in such important matters as tlie Protocol, the Locarno Pact, and tlie admission of Germany, and the enirance of Hie United Slates of America are very imperfectly understood. 'Tlie conflicting and sensational comments made by cablegram tend to produce a false perspective. It is ihe aim of the union: (1) To instruct its members; and (2) to instruct the public. In regard lo these matters the branch has to report in detail as follows: (a) “Headway,” the official organ of the union has been distributed. i There lias been some dislocation owing to tlie “change over” from the Dunedin supply lo the. supply direct from England. It is hoped that in future there will be a continuous service. (b) Other literature: A considerable volume of other leaflets and publications has been distributed, (c) Special reporls: Where Geneva has circulated reports of special interest abstracts have been made and published in the Waikato Times, (d) Public meetings: Only one pubic mectng was held during Hie year. The Rev. G. T. Tockcr, of Auckland, delivered a very interesting address, which was listened to by a fair audience. Members arc requested to make a point of attending such lectures when they arc arranged, (c) Visit of Dominion organiser: Early in the year the organiser, Mr Burton, paid a visit to this district, with fairly satisfactory results. Your executive is of the opinion that if Hie visit had been followed up by further activities on the part of the organisation the. appointment made by the Dominion executive would have been well warranted.

Future Programme. —Your council recommends that during Hie coming winter a series of meetings he held in tlie country districts, and addresses given by members of the council and others. An effort should also be made to keep Ihe facts and ideals of tlie. union berorc tlie various clubs, organisations, etc., in tlie district. It, is also hoped that the union will give its support to an appeal for clothes, blankets, etc,, for the “Save the Children Fund,” an international organisation whose work is closely associated with that of the League of Nations.

Thanks: Your council wishes io place on record its sincere thanks to the Ucv. G. T. Tocker Tor his willing help, and to the Waikato Times, which has made the publicity work possible by its many acts of kindness and consideration.

The report was adopted. Mr It. Yaldcr said tic thought the membership could lie grcatlj increased by activity on the part or the present members, and a fairly strong organisation built up. One fault, lie thought, was the difficulty in Hie past of securing literature, hut arrangements had now been made to gel the 'official League literature direct from London. When this was received by members it could lie passed around and a better understanding of U,c work of the League could thus lie obtained. Election of Officers. The following officers were elected; —Patron, his Worship lhe Mayor (Mr .1 It. Fow); president, Mr li. \ alder; vice-presidents, Mrs li. Yaldcr, Archdeacon Howie, Itevs. 11. O. C.iibcit, 11. C, llcreus, Messrs F.ben Wilson, W. kec Martin, D. llay, T. L. Hamcs, A. K. Manning, and It. Haglev; lion, secretary, Mr ,1. K. Hutchinson: lion, treasurer, Mr A. E. Bouillon; executive,' Mrs W. .1. Elevens, president, secretary. treasurer, Dr. E. T. 1 logons, Lev. It. 0. Gilbert, Messrs F. A. de la Marc, and G. lioyes. "when the question of fixing the annual fee was mentioned it was slated Ihat financial members had paid their fees for last year hut had nut received full membership benefits in Hie way or literature. Some speakers thought that a half fee might tic fixed for Hie ensuing year, while others fell lliaf the union was supported for the. ■mod of the cause and not for a roiurn in Ihe way of literature. II was finally decided Io leave the fees ttie same as last year. Save the Children Fund.

Deporting on the result of an interview wil.li ttie central executive nr Ihe t'nion in reference to the. Save Hie Children Fund, Mr F. A. de la Mare said if would lie difiirull, to collect money if an appeal was marie Tor funds" at present, hut. nevertheless, there was a desperate need for blankets and rlolhing a need which would he very (.-real next summer and winter in Southern Europe. 11 was thought that Ihe League of Nations Union might co-operate with the Save Ihe Children Fund, which lia.l a di.diticl association willi Ihe work of Ihe former. The League was hacking Hie Save Ihe Children Fund .all il could, and anxious Io co-operale in helping Hie organisation. II was fell in Ihe LU’ion that lliere was some need for practical work and Ihe branches in Wellington and Dunedin were nut Io co-operate and do what they could. The goods could lie transported from the homes in New Zealand to Europe practically free of charge. The Hailway Department would lake goods for

the Save the Children Fund over the railways free, while the shipping companies would also assist. The only expense would be for insurance and the fumigating of clothing. The Union could not do the work itself, but would co-operate with the Save the Children Fund to the fullest extent . There would also bo the cooperation of the churches and oilier organisations, while the Labour Party was extremely anxious to help. The central executive would advise the branch when an appeal was to be launched. The branch decided that when instructions were received it would do all it could to further the aims and objects of the Save the Children Fund.