Obsession: New Zealand, Money and the League of Nations, 1920-35

Abstract

New Zealand's participation in the League of Nations in the 1920s and early 1930s was greatly influenced by the issue of money. Though an original member, New Zealand regarded the League as a distraction at best and at worst a threat to the British Empire. Unsympathetic conservative governments begrudged the cost of membership, in both representation and dues. Obliged to send delegations to the annual League Assemblies, New Zealand governments handicapped their delegates by refusing to give them the resources to represent their country adequately. However, once at Geneva, the dominion's delegates led campaigns to control the League's budget with the aim of reducing the amount the members had to pay as annual contributions. Ironically, New Zealand's determination to keep its distance from Geneva led to its obsession with the League's finances. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.

Publication Title

Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History

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