LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1924, Page 3

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

ARMAMENTS DEBATE

SPEECH BY MR MACDONALD

[Rkuikus Telegrams.]

(Received this day at ILL.'IO p.m.) (IF.NEY'A, September •(.

-Mr MacDonald opened the debate on tilts reduction of armaments with a

speech of an hour's duration, lie said he would do his utmst to lay the foundations of peace and emphasised that all the delegations, of wliich he was chief, Imd determined all their ideas in a common pool. Britain did not suhscrihe to the fact of mutual assistance. not been use she was indifferent to public security, hut because she felt they had not yet properly prepared the soil. Britain wished to carry out every letter of her obligations, hut would not sign an indefinite propiosal. which if she tried to carry out, public opinion would probably make it impossible. but the last word had not been said, in fact, we must have the whole world with us. He deda.wi they could not afford to let Gormiiuy remain outside the League. The London Cnlereticc had created a new relation and they should bring Germany into the Assembly. The matter should be taken up by this Assembly. Bussin had changed, and the Anglo-IDissian agreement was paving the way for Hus. sia to enter the League. Dealing with the question of security .Mr MacDonald pointed out that the difficulty was of establishing who was the aggressor. He dwelt on the system of arbitration and said: “If we a,re unable to elaborate a proper system of arbitration, then we return to military pacts. A pact, should cfca'ily 'define (the nature of the obligations." OK.VL'VA, September L

Mr MacDonald emphasised that the optional arbitration clause should he thoroughly examined, before Britain and the Dominions could give adherence to it. Arbitration was directed at. tho problem of armaments. Tfe pointed out as regards naval armaments, that Britain had fulfilled the Washington agreement, as she had fulfilled all agreements. Tin* way must he prepared for a conforueo of armaments, as without preparation the Conference would he a failure. All nations must participate in that conference. The London Agreement had helped to prepare the way. Britain adhered to the covenant of the League and did not desire to weaken it. Certain articles in the Covenant could he embodied in the charter of peace. The matter should he referred to a committee before the assembly separated, when members worked to enlighten public opinions in their own countries. Canicrlynek translated the whole speech into French.

Mr MacDonald and M. Herriot warmly shook hands before leaving the Assembly which adjourned till the afternoon, ■ * '