Palais Wilson, Quai Wilson, Geneva
Headquarters of the League of Nations (until 1938)
The League of Nations was created by the Treaty of Versailles after WWI to promote international co-operation and to achieve international peace and security. Members of the League pledged not to go to war before submitting their disputes to arbitration or inquiry. The League of Nations came into existence on January 10, 1920, and had its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
The main organs of the League of Nations were the Assembly, Council and Secretariat. The General Assembly, which consisted of all members of the League, decided on the organization's policies. The Council whose main function was to settle international disputes included permanent and elected members. The Secretariat carried out the day-to-day matters of the League.
Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden persuaded Britain to allow Canada to have its own seat in the League of Nations, an important step on the road to becoming an independent nation. Canada was a League member throughout its existence, and was an elected member of the Council from 1927 to 1930.
Canada's representatives to the 1931 Session of the General Assembly were delegates Charles Philip Beaubien, Hugh Guthrie, Henry Plumptre, and substitutes Dr. Walter A. Riddell (Canadian Advisory Officer to the League of Nations), Philippe Roy, and Martin Burrell.
The main organs of the League of Nations were the Assembly, Council and Secretariat. The General Assembly, which consisted of all members of the League, decided on the organization's policies. The Council whose main function was to settle international disputes included permanent and elected members. The Secretariat carried out the day-to-day matters of the League.
Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden persuaded Britain to allow Canada to have its own seat in the League of Nations, an important step on the road to becoming an independent nation. Canada was a League member throughout its existence, and was an elected member of the Council from 1927 to 1930.
The League was successful in resolving several conflicts and provided opportunities for international discussion of
political and legal questions, disarmament, economic relations, the
protection of minorities, communications and transit, and health and
social questions. Unfortunately the League of Nations failed in its primary purpose, the prevention of another world war. The League of Nations was dissolved on April 20, 1946, transferring its assets to the United Nations.
Now to the postal history connection.
12th Ordinary Session of the Assembly : September 7 -31 1931
1931 12th Session of the Assembly
Canada's representatives to the 1931 Session of the General Assembly were delegates Charles Philip Beaubien, Hugh Guthrie, Henry Plumptre, and substitutes Dr. Walter A. Riddell (Canadian Advisory Officer to the League of Nations), Philippe Roy, and Martin Burrell.
The cover below was mailed to Geneva before the start of the annual General Assembly session.
A registered letter mailed from the House of Commons to Martin Burrell , League of Nations, Geneva, August 31, 1931
21 cents paid the 11 cent 2 oz. UPU letter rate + 10 cent registration fee
Registration handstamps
The Hon. Martin Burrell
The addressee, substitute Canadian delegate Martin Burrell, had served as the Minister of Agriculture in addition to other portfolios in the Borden government from 1911 to 1920. In 1920, he resigned from the House and became Parliamentary Librarian, a position he held until his death in 1938.
Dr. W.A. Riddell
Canadian Advisory Officer
Dr. Riddell(centre) with Prime Minister Mackenzie King, League of Nations, Geneva 1936
Dr. W.A. Riddell, civil servant, diplomat, and academic, was the Canadian Advisory Officer to the League of Nations from 1924 to 1937. From 1940 to 1946, he was the Canadian High Commissioner to New Zealand, and later taught International Relations at the University of Toronto.
