New Zealand’s Stark CommentOn Abyssinia

During a recent League of Nations session, New Zealand’s delegate sparked outrage

with the comment, “If I were the UK, I would bomb Abyssinia.” The statement was

widely seen as showing a troubling lack of empathy for the people of Abyssinia and for

the civilians who would bear the cost of such violence.

Many delegates viewed the remark as reckless and insensitive. At a time when the

League is supposed to defend peace and protect human life, such language raised

serious concerns about the delegate’s judgment and compassion.

The response from other members reflected discomfort with how casually suffering was

dismissed. For many, the comment wasn't just controversial, but really showed that

words spoken in debate can reveal how little concern some leaders have for human

consequences, treating them as numbers on a page rather than real, tangible human lives.

If delegates can speak so casually about bombing a member state, how strong is the

League’s commitment to diplomacy and international law?

Turnip Rizzden

JICA