OBLIGATIONS UNDER UNITED NATIONS

Chronicle (Levin), 7 August 1946, Page 5

OBLIGATIONS UNDER UNITED NATIONS

-Press Association

READY FOR SANCTIONS IF NEEDED

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, August (5. 1'ower tu mahe regulations enforcing any form of sanctions which New* Zealand might be called upon to carry out at the request of Pnited Nations, is conferred u.v the Pnited Nations IJiil, one of two measures introduced when the House of Ilepresenlatives resumed tonight. The Bill gives autlioritv for the Governor General in Council to mahe regulations to enable New* Zealand to fullill obligations uuderlaken by ihe Doniinion under article 41 of tlie l 'barter of Pnited Nations. This article states: "The Seeurity Council nmy decide what measures not invoJving the use of anned i'oree, are to be employed to give efl'ocl tu its decisions and it nmy call ujion memliers of Pnited Nations to apply snch nu-asuies. These may incJude the complete or partial interruption of eeonomie relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, tclegrapliie, radio . and other meaiis of communicut ions, and the severance of diplrniuilic relations." .Mr. Fraser tohi tlie House the J'iil was verv similar to. oue passed in l!),'!."i m regard to our obligations to imjiose sanctions as a meiniier oi t he . League of Nations. It was necessary to provide for the nuiking of the r»gulalions becausc, although it was obvious that if l'ai liament w eie iu session it woulil be cuusulted on sucli a niatter, provision naist be made for a situalion that might arise w hen the IIous • was in re eess. 1 f Pnited Nations Organisatioii called on Ni vv Zealand, in eonmion with other nations, we would liave to act pnimptly, jierluips in the dirietion ot putting an embargo on certain coniinodi t ies. Opposition Wenilier: Eeonomie sanctions1.' IMr. Praser: Yes. .Mr. F. W. Doidge: The watorside workers will niake that decision for you. .Mr. Praser said the watersider. worked hani and oi'ten had disagreeable work to do but he did not thiuk all of them were experts in foreign jiolicv. He thought renson would prevail and tliese thiugs would adjust themselves. No seetion of the eonimuuity could uie tate to tlie Govcrnment coitcerning for eign jiolicv and none had. (Opposition lauglUer). .Mr. Praser said no seetion could lietate to the (fovernment so long us the Government remaiued st'*oug. (Benewed laughter). ,, - .Mr. Praser said if eeonomie sanctions were Hpplied some people might try to beat them as they did the customs. Provision therefore had to btmade for jieusilties in sucli cases. A person was lialde on summary convic tion for a breach of the regulations, to imprisonment uj) to twelve months or a line not exceeding £100. The jxenalty for a eompany was a line uj) to £1000 but, 1M r. Praser said, he doubted if this was sulticient. The Bill is to applv to the Cook Islands, Western Samoa and other New Zealand territories overseas.