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Calendar of Events
Membership Meeting
Individual Liberty: National Agenda Item II
Voters Service
United Nations Charter Review
Budget Report September 30, 1954 (Jayne L. Ellis)

United Nations Charter Review

The United Nations Charter provides that in 1955 an item shall be automatically placed on the agenda of the General Assembly to consider advisability of calling a conference to review the Charter in 1956. This provision for a review conference was made because, in 1945, a number of provision were adopted over the rather strong opposition of several countries, particularly some of the smaller ones. They agreed to the Charter on the assumption that they v:ould be given an opportunity to reexamine the provisions after a ten-year trial period.

Our government favors the holding of a review conference, but before taking a position regarding which, if any, changes in the present Charter might be desirable and feasible, it seeks the opinion of the American people individually and through organizations. This is the reason why the League of Women Voters is interested in becoming informed.

The October Units in Tina Heine and Kailua served as a stimulating introduction to the questions concerning Charter Review. Some challenging problems discussed included:

  1. Should membership in the U.N. be limited or universal?

  2. If there are tin rival governments claiming the same seat, can criteria be established to determine which one should be seated?

  3. Should the composition of the Security Council be flexible enough to allow for changes in world power situations?

The Charter has been flexible to allow for a certain amount of growth. Some nations feel that development of a better spirit in using the Charter is more important than formal revision. Interesting reading is available through our National Resource Committee. (Phone L. Philipp, 917042.)

LEAGUE OF FRIGHTENED WOMEN: don't miss reading this stimulating article in Saturday Evening Post for October 23, 1954.

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