NAURU BILL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 244, 9 July 1920, Page 7

NAURU BILL

AMENDED BY HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMITTEE AGREEMENT SUBJECT TO LEAGUE COVENANT By Telceraivh Preßß Afißoclafcion—Oopyrisht (Reo. July 9, 1.25 a.m,) London, July 7. The House of Commons Standing Coinmitteo is considering tho Nauru Island Agreement Bill. Lord Robert Cccil moved an amendment making the agreement subject to the provisions of Article Twenty-two of the Covenant of tho League of Nations, Sir John R-ees asked if it was seriously contended that when o, mandato was granted to a great nation for tho administration of a territory it must come to tho Council of the League for approval of any action taken. Colonel. Ledio Wilson, who is in charge of tho Bill, disagreed with the amendment, and said that if the Government accepted it tho acceptance would involve an admission that the agreement did not accord with tho Treaty. Tho agreement was signed by the Premiere of Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, and tho Peace Treaty bore the same signatures. To accept such ;in amendment would suggest that thoso gentlemen were not prepared to honour thoir pledges. If Lord Robert Cecil acceptod the assurance that they wire prepared to carry out the Peace Treaty, his amendment was unnecessary.

A long discussion followed, and the amendment was carried by 16 votes to 13, —Reuter.

PRICE OF THE PHOSPHATES

QUESTION REGARDING CONTROL. (Rec. July 8, IUO. p.m.) Condon, July 7. The qnestion was raised in the House of Commons whether. the Government proposed to control the selling price of Nauru phosphates. Colonel Aniery replied: "No arrangements have been made yet."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.