THE LEAGUE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 September 1924, Page 9

THE LEAGUE

REDUCTION OF ARMAMENTS. by Oahle—vb-esb association—copyright GENEVA, Sept. 13. While disclaiming responsibility, Sir James Allen (New Zealand') introduced before the third commission of the League of Nations a draft treaty for the reduction of armaments prepared by Mr S. E. Hyde, of New Zealand, providing for the League calling a world conference to decide how much munitions each country can make or buy, and the establishment of a general staff of leading admirals, generals and scientists, with a permanent seat at Geneva, which would have full control over the commanders of the different countries in the event of the League summoning the help of forces from members of the League. In the discussion on disarmament the consensus of- opinion favoured the settlement of disputes by arbitration, supported by sanctions on a basis of the provisions of the covenant. , Mr Hyde’s scheme provides that the world be divided into areas. The League would decide what nations would participate in a conflict, and to what extent, in the event of war, the nations in. all areas would be considered at war against the aggressor. It suggests, that the League be divided into three groups, full members- accepting military and , ecomonic . responsibilities, conditional members not accepting military sanctions, and the friendly gi'oup not accepting sanctions or economic responsibilities, but helping the League in all other waysi