LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1924, Page 1

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

[Reuters Telegrams.] FRENCH COMMENT. PARIS, Dee. 10. The British note regarding registration of the Irish Treaty must, be withdrawn, or it will cause the Dominions to leave the League,” is the opinion of Ere Xouvcllo. It declares that members of the League are equal, whereas if the Dominions are simply satellites, voting at British dictation, they must and cannot participate, because thereby Britain has seven votes compared with the other Powers one. FREE STATE AND LEAGUE. LONDON. December 10. Presiding at the Council of the Longue of Nations Union at Caxton Hall, Professor Gilbert Murray, alluding to the objection to the Irish Free State registering with the League of Nations the Treaty constituting it'n Dominion, pointed out that any dispute about a treaty among the members of the British Empire went to the Privy Council. Silt'll a dispute could very much better be settled inside than by calling in foreigners. The Imperial lawyers should try to define exactly the meaning of “within the British Empire” and the exact relations of the Dominions to

themselves and to the Mother Country. Progressor Murray expressed the opinion that it was quite clear in the meantime that the British Government was right in not handing over all agreement between the Mother Conntry and one part of the Empire straight olf to foreign tribunals to Bottle. LONDON, Deocmebr 20. The “Daily Telegraph” commenting on the Government’s decision regarding the Protocol Imperial Conference, nays: “It would never do for Britain to accept the Protocol and the Dominions to withhold their assent. Britain ‘•Leaks for the Dominions in the Council of the League, but in the Assembly tho Dominions speak for themselves. It i.s the Council which is supremely important when questions of peace or war arise, with which the protocol -Us primary concerned. AYe hesitate even to contemplate the possibility of Britain speaking for the Empire in the Council and then having one of the Dominions repudiating liability for any committal. Yet that i.s what might happen if Britain should ratify the protocol without tho Dominions’ cordial concurrence” CHARGE DENIED LONDON, December If). The insistence hy a section of the .French press that Britain's action in ruling out the Irish Treaty with the League of Nations betokens a change in tlie Dominions’ status at the League meetings, has caused many political enquiries, but it can be stated authoritatively that no change is involved, although, a desire exists that the Empire Delegations to the League should, if possible, preliminarily agree on any major issue, such as tlie Geneva Protocol. This, and •other subjects will be included in tho matters to he discussed at an early Imperial Conference. HOPES OF Ell J PINOS. MANILLA, December 19. The 1/capuo of Nations is forwarding instructions to the Philippine Labour Bureau regarding the membership of the latter in the League Labour Division. M is reported that there is a suggestion by til,' League officials that t.lie Philippines sliou.ld become an American mandate under the League. This is favourably received by the Filipino poliiicnins. who state they will attempt to bring the Filipino independence issue eventually before the League.