Annual Farce

Mandate Report At Geneva

mKE annual report of the Government i of Western Samoa for the year 1937 was before the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations in Geneva recently, and the usual farce was enacted.

Dr. R. M. Campbell, Economic Adviser to the N.Z. Government in London, at tended and described what New Zealand was doing to improve the health condi tions and educational standard of the Samoan?.

It is reported that the Commission showed a lively interest in steps, taken and contemplated, towards giving the Samoans a larger measure of self gov ernment; and that “the general attitude was one of commendation”.

In these days, when the taxpayers of Australia and New Zealand are obliged to find enormous sums for armaments and defence, it does seem ridiculous that Australia and New Zealand should con tinue to pay very large amounts each year for the maintainence of the “Great White Palace” of the League of Nations at Geneva. Only Britain and France, and a host of cynical smaller nations, are now members of the League. The League is without power or influence in prevent ing international war; and its examin ation of the annual reports on mandated territories is so completely useless as to be pathetic.

Mr. R. S. Willis, Government Medical Assistant stationed at Port Moresby, Papua, with Mrs. Willis, arrived at Cairns. Queensland, in November by air liner on furlough.