A.—s

15

Generally with regard to intellectual co-operation between the nations, I confess I am strongly of opinion that it is all to the good that we should have an organization steadily working with quiet but effective persistence to bring the minds of the various peoples together. Once we can get co-operation of mind and thought between the various nations of the League, then, and I think then only, will such grave problems as disarmament be solved ; whilst the lesser problems, social and political, which afflict 'the world will be much the easier of solution if we can bring the peoples to think along the same lines. The work of this international committee all tends in this direction. I should here observe that this committee fathers and supports the Rome Conference on Copyright, at which the right of an author over his work has at length obtained recognition, thus crowning the protracted efforts of the Committee on Intellectual Co-operation, as the eminent Frenchman, M. Paul Boncour, observed before the Assembly. You will recollect that New Zealand was ably represented at the Rome Conference by Mr. Raymond, K.C. Further, it may not be out of place at the present to mention the Congress of Statisticians at Cairo. The committee viewed the efforts of this Congress with sympathy, because, I think, it gave an impetus —indeed, a decisive impetus —to the negotiations which the Institute of Intellectual Cooperation is conducting with the idea of securing the adoption by the various nations of the same rules in the matter of intellectual statistics. Schools. I should make it plain, I hope, that with so many highly cultivated men, mostly from the universities, on the League, it is very natural that uppermost in their thoughts should be the work of international university relations. Practical work has this year been done in this direction by the compilation of a Handbook of University Exchanges in Europe, an innovation which is to be repeated next year. Further, it is to be noted that the secondary schools, as a means of international co-operation, have come into play. Holiday courses and study tours have not only been considered but are already taking place between many of the Central European States. For instance, with a view of securing a closer intellectual relationship between countries such as Switzerland, Poland, and Czecho-Slovakia, high-school boys and girls in great numbers are organized in parties to visit their comrades across the border. This work naturally creates a better understanding, and all makes for the great object—peace. A great deal of discussion on this occasion centred round about arts and letters and their international character. The committee has been profoundly struck by the importance of the development of the cinematograph. Indeed, it has drawn the special attention of the Assembly to the danger of cinematograph performances which may be inspired by a spirit opposed to, or, rather, at variance with, that of the League. The discussions on this and cognate subjects served to impress upon my mind the great importance of the Paris International Institute of Intellectual Co-operation. Indeed, I think it not improbable that the work in the future will gradually direct itself more to Paris than to Geneva. Touching again upon the subject of school activities, I may say that I ventured before the committee to stress the important aspect of getting the minds of the young people in the schools in the right direction as regards war and peace. I asserted that the League ought to make special efforts in this direction, because experience had shown that it was possible to change the whole thought and mind of a people through the training of the young. Why, therefore, not make use of this tremendous force ? I suggested that the sub-committee dealing with education should prepare suitable text-books upon the work of the League and its various activities for the use of teachers in secondary and elementary schools. I pointed out that the existing text-books were rather abstruse and dry and lacked human interest. Eventually, I am pleased to record that instructions were given, for the preparation by a Committee of Experts of more suitable books of instruction for schools and colleges generally. Doubtless you will be able to receive within the next year or so, for the use of New Zealand teachers and schools, very useful handbooks which will invest the work of the League with some real human interest. Further, in this regard, I think the day is not far distant when exchange visits of school-children of different nations (to a limited degree, of course) will be brought about, as a most potent factor in creating that mutual friendliness and understanding which alone can create a universal will to peace. It is to be noted that the committee this year resolved to ask the Assembly to agree to the principle that there should be an Information Bureau in the national or central library of every State. Further, the committee stressed the necessity for the preservation of manuscripts, which will naturally be of interest to librarians and others. Another important resolution dealt with getting suitable measures for the preservation of primitive languages which are dying out. Finally, it dealt with a subject upon which I in past years in New Zealand have spoken and written. I. refer to the danger of cinematograph performances if they are not properly supervised and controlled by an adequate censorship. Certainly, the danger from the cinema that the League had in mind was somewhat limited to such broadcasting as might create a spirit antagonistic to the League. Nevertheless, the animadversions of the committee on the subject of the cinemas were not confined to this aspect only, but dealt with the danger to the individuals, and particularly to the youth of a country, from the encouragement of a poor or vicious class of cinema education. Slavery. The " hardy annual " of the Slavery Convention again came before the committee. More and more nations are ratifying the convention of 1926, in which they pledge themselves to the entire abolition of this great menace to human happiness. It was a matter of pride that Great Britain has shown a magnificent lead with regard to its colonies and dependencies in its attempt to stamp out the last remnants of this evil. There are still, among the nations, offenders. For instance, this committee, year by year, hammers away at the Abyssinians, and, in a lesser degree, at another Power which has African interests. There can be little question that large numbers of human beings in the deserts about Abyssinia and in the neighbouring British Protectorate of the Sudan are carried off in