The United Nations Association
The importance of the meeting held at the Albert Hall last Wednes- day to launch the United Nations Association lies in the fact that the world security organisation can only succeed if it has overwhelming popular support in the countries represented. The United Nations Association is designed to be the successor of the League of Nations Union, whose powerful influence in the past should not be under- estimated because the League ultimately broke down. It is essential that public opinion should be mobilised and directed in the interests of organised peace both in this country and throughout the world at the time when the Security Council and Assembly of the United Nations are coming into being. The preliminary work for the Security Organisation is already far advanced. Thirty countries have already ratified the Charter, and the Preparatory Commission has been called for November 6th. The General Assembly is likely to be summoned early in December, or in January at the latest. Never was the country more alive to the necessity of vigorous international action not only to create the machinery of security but to pursue a positive policy for creating conditions favourable to peace. A nation- wide Association is capable of being an effective influence in sup- porting and stimulating Governments. But the maximum result can only be attained if a similar association comes into being in every one of the United Nations. Such organisations linked together so that their combined efforts may express world opinion could become a powerful force constantly operative on Governments.
Previous page
