LEAGUE OF RATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1919, Page 2

LEAGUE OF RATIONS.

PROGRESS OF BUSINESS. j j AUSTRALIAN <fc N. 7.. CABLE ASSOCIATION] LONDON, Jan. 25. A preliminary draft of the League of Nations scheme has been published. It shows that the creation of a permanent organisation will continue to be the business between the meetings of the Peace Conference. J The appointment of a Committee to consider the League’s functions and, construction is urged, and the draft calls for the appointment of a Commission to report on the responsibility for the causes of the present war. It is expected M. Bourbemis, General Smuts, and Lord Robert Cecil will expound their views on the League of Nations before the Conference. Then the Conference appoints a special commissioner to examine the various schemes.

It also appoints a special commissioner to investigate indemnities.

The Dominion representatives lengthily discussed the question of recognition separately, of Dominions on the Lea guo of Nations, but without reaching any settlement.

CONFERENCE DISCUSSION. SMALL NATIONS NOT SATISFIED. PARIS, Jan. 25. At the Poac-e Conference, Mr. Lloyd George., briefly referred to the League of Nations’ proposals benefits. He described his journey through devastated France, which did not look like the habitation of civilised men. He saw one city as to which no indemnity could ever pay for the destruction it suffered. Surely some plan could be devised for settling disputes by other means than war.

Signor Orlando and M. Bourgeoise spoke briefly. n Mr Hughes said ho hoped a full opportunity would be given for discussion of the proposals. Then the delegates of the small nations, from Siam to Gautemala, the world round, took part in the discussion. They spoke not so much on the value of the League, but on the representation accorded them on the various commissions. The delegates of the smaller nations could not reconcile the idea of five representatives of the Great Powers agains five representatives for the remaining nineteen smaller nations. Sir F. Borden said Roumania naturally desired to have proper representation on the Waterways Commission. Her interests wore vitally concerned with the dealings with tho Danube as a waterway. China equally was interested in the ■navigation and labour problems.... Mr Huymaus declared Belgium felt keenly on the subject of her representation on the labour position.

Some force is given to Belgium’s position by an interview given by M. Vanderveld, the Belgian Socialist Minister of Justice who said Belgium needs every help. She lias 300,000 unemployed chiefly in the textile and glass trades. If she did not get prompt assistance, the country would experience a wave of Bolshevism. But for America’s help up to the present, lie said Belgium’s position would have become unbearable.

M. Clemenceau summed up the discussion. He referred to Sir F. Borden’s reproach and invited the small nations freely to express their views before the several commissions arguing that if these were made over largo, less, work would bo accomplished and the discussions would become interminable. The Conference must proceed speedily, because millions of men were awaiting deijiobilisation. They could not accept dictation to the Great Powers. He was prepared to sacrifice many of his own opinions for the success of the great common cause. The resolutions were agreed to unanimously in favour of the League of Nations. President Wilson and Colonel House represent America and Lord Cecil and General Smuts represent England on , the League of Nations Committee. j The small powers will choose their' five representatives on Monday. j