DISARMAMENT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 2 December 1927, Page 6

DISARMAMENT

THE SOVIET PROPOSALS LITVINOFF’B. resolution. DETAILS OF SCHEME, Geneva, Nov. 30. Lityinoff moved: “That, whereas the existence of armaments and the tendency of growth inevitably lead to armed conflicts diverting workers and peasants from peaceful an d productive labour and bringing in their train countless disasters, and whereas nn armed force is a weapon in the hands of the great I’owors for the oppression of small and colonial countries, and whereas complete abolition is the only real means of guaranteeing against an outbreak of war, this Commission resolves to proceed immediately with the working out of the details of the draft convention on complete genera] disarmament, and convenes, not later than March. 1928. a disarmament conference to discuss and confirm the proposals.” Litvinoff. after moving the resolution. presented the details of the proposal. They included the dissolution of personnel of armies, navies and air forces- the destruction of .ill material, and the cessation of training and the abolition of service, whether voluntary or conscripted; also the release of reservists from their obligations, the destruction of fortresses, naval and air bases, factories, and arsenals: the prohibition of warlike allocations in national budgets, the abolition of ministries, departments and staffs- the prohibition of the training and education, both national and local, and the prohibition of warlike patents with a view to removing an incentive thereto. Finally, national legislation making infringements of the foregoing a grave crime. A year is allowed for the destruction of material, this to commence without delay Four vears are allowed tor general disarmament to enable capitalist states to disband their standing armies.—(A and N.Z.I SILENCE OF BRITISH DELEGATION. SOVIET PROPOSALS IRRELEVANT.. London, Dec. I. There was considerable comment at Geneva on the silence of . the British delegation throughout the proceed Ings. Lord Cushendnn. m an Interview. asked why he had not participated. said: “1 do not believe in talking when there is nothing to say. The business was supposed to have been entirely connected with procedure, and 1 have no exception to take to that.” Asked his opinion regarding Litvinotf’s disarmament proposals, ho replied: “According £, th a .-cruA rules of procedure. Litvinoff was en entirely out of order. Had this incident arisen at Westminster. I should immediately have jumped on it. From that the whole of rhe Soviet proposals are quite irrelevant. 1 quite agree that they should he postponed until the whole matter of disarmament has progressed much further.”

“SOVIET FARCE.” The London morning papers re’nsu to take Litvinoff «e.,uusiy. The “Daily Telegraph” says its diplomatic correspondent describes the speech as a blatant form of platform propaganda. None but a simpleton wouu treat the performance seriously. The “Morning Post” publishes a headline “Soviet Farce—Bear in Sheep’s Clothing.” The “Daily Chronicle” says:'’We may be sure the Russians felt no uneasiness nt putting forward propaganda which they knew they would not be called upon to undertake themselves. The “Daily News” . thinks there cannot be many deceived by this clumsy farce. Even the “Daily Herald’’ seems to regard the scheme rather as a challenge than something practicable. ■ (A. and N.Z.) 1 WASHINGTON COMMENT. The “Nexv York Times’ ” Washing, ton _ correspondent states that today’s proposal by the Russian delegation at Geneva for the abolition of all land, naval and air forces was not taken seriously bv official circles. There is a tendency to look upon ’t as a mere gesture. The question of disarmament is regarded as far more complicated than the ideas advanced by the Soviet delegates which were characterised as Utopian.—

By those who know where to search for it on the slopes of one Tree Hill, Auckland, there may be found an indigenous plant which has medicinal properties, and which is said to be an infallible cure for bunions. If was a knowledge that the old-time Maoris had, and the information was passed on to Europeans. Recently one -if the oldest ladies at the infirmary made a search for the nlant, and was proud of her undimmed eyes when she speedily discovered it. She said that bunions was one of the few disabilities that she had, a legacy of a bygone fashion when young ladies wore tight-fitting shoes.