LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1920, Page 2

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

rAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE PROROGUES. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) GENEVA, Dec. IS. The Assembly approved of the salary of the President of the International Court at six thousand Dutch florins. The President thanked the New Zealand Government for the help given to Belgium and to suffering children of Europe during the war. After addresses by M. Hymans and M. Motta the Assembly prorogued.

THE MANDATES. LONDON, Dee 17. The Assembly considered the Commission on Mandates’ report, which strongly complained that the Council was not giving it any opportunity to see the mandates, and was keeping them confidential to the last moment. The terms of the mandates were little more than a repetition of the conditions contained in the League Covenant. The Commisson felt a i mandatory should not use its position to increase its military strength. Secondly, the Commission holds that a mandatory should power to exploit, for itself, the natural resources in the mandated territories. Lord Cecil said he was disappointed the Council was not giving draft mandates to the Commission for discussion. Mr Doherty (Canada) said he was sorry that so inadequate an opportunity has been afforded the League Assembly to consider this important subject. Mr Wellington Koo (China) said China reserved the right to bring the queston of Shantung before a. future Assembly. The representatves .of Albania, Bulgaria and Finland took their seats. Count Mensdorff, representing Austria, also took-his seat without ceremony. Mr Balfour admitted that neither the Commission nor the Assembly had any opportunity of considering the mandates. and the took full responsibilty. He could not approve of the report’s observations on an increase .of military strength, or on the exploitation of resources without due reward.