I move:—
"Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £8,058 chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith na bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá Mharta, 1944, chun Síntiúis mar Chabhair do Chostaisí Chumann na Náisiún."
That a sum not exceeding £8,058 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending the 31st day of March, 1944, for a Contribution towards the Expenses of the League of Nations."
The amount provided in this Estimate, namely, £8,058, differs little from the amount provided in 1942-43. Actually, there is a decrease of £280. The provision is for our contribution to the League of Nations for the calender year, 1942. The League has effected some economies in its expenditure. So far as the contributions of member States are concerned, these economies have, in fact, very largely been counterbalanced by the fact that the number of States is somewhat smaller than before. For instance, in 1941, the necessary two years' notice of the termination of their membership of three States expired, reducing the membership at the beginning of 1942 to 45 States. We are still liable to contribute on the basis of ten units, but each unit is now greater than it was and, whereas the total expenditure of the League in 1941 was allocated over 523 units, the expenditure in 1942 was allocated over 473.
On the general question of the activities, and of our membership, of the League, I do not think there is anything I can usefully add to what I said on this Estimate last year. As I pointed out then, the political work of the League has almost entirely ceased but it is continuing its social, economic and humanitarian activities, and has for some time past been devoting a good deal of attention to the study of various problems of post-war reconstruction. Some great central organisation will be essential in the post-war world, and whilst it is impossible at this stage of events to say whether the League itself will emerge as that body, or whether it will be superseded by some other international body it would, in my view, be unwise for a State such as ours to abandon the League at the present juncture. I do not know if there is anything more that I could usefully add on the Estimate.
