LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1925, Page 3

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

[Australia it N.Z. Cable Association j ABOLITION OF SLAVF.HY. A BRITISH PROPOSAL. (Received this day at 8 a.no) CKNKVA. Kept. 0. Viscount Cecil, on behalf ol Britain, unexpectedly submitted proposals lor the eventual abolition of slavery including domestic slavery throughout the world. \t the League Committee no serious objections were raised, but the Port iiguc.se and others emphasised

tlic importance nl' not moving ton rapidly. It i- understood that the proT«mils arc regarded as tin 1 most important kitnl aince tin l Brussels Act of 1801).

Tlie proposals provide tor severe punisliinent of anyone attempting to engage in slave tra(lie in any signatorv state, classifying; slave-t fading with pirimy. and a slave vessel shall lie treated as a pirate.

MB CIIAMBKRL AIN'S Sl’KKf 'll. (B.eeeived this day at 11.28 a.in.) GENEVA, September 11. Mr Chamberlain at the League •Council in .March, virtually conducted the obsequies of the protocol. Ibis morning he performed a somewhat similar task before a larger concourse of nations. It was not an easy task. 11<> weighed his words most carelully because it was obviously necessary in an assemble of predominantly Latin temper to cold douche the disappointin'; hopes of the ardent advocates o| the protocol. .Mr Chamberlain was therefore extremely cautious, haltine with unusual frequency to find the best word, hut his earnestness impressed everybody, anil when lie finished a half hour’s speech there was a prolonged round of applause wherein .M. Britt ml and M. Boncour. who took copious notes, joined heartily. CKXK'vA, Sept. 10. .Mr Austin Chamberlain addressed the Assembly on the subject of the measures taken bv the Council to carry out tlie decisions of the Assembly, lie paid a tribute to the great inllueime of tlie l/ague and referred to the spirit animating Britain, adding that though there were differences of opinion regarding the best means of attaining their aims, there was no dif- „ ferenee as to a hat these aims are. Mr Chamberlain emphasised that though punishment- might he necessary, the fundamental principle was not to punish the aggressor, but to prevent the commission of an offence. . He declared that Britain held that that principle seemed to lie lost sight of in framing last year’s protocol. If hv attempting less Ilian last year's Assembly did with the protocol, they eventually achieved more, they woe 1 be acting in the same spirit as the original covenant framers. “We do not seek fresh alliances,” Mr Chamberlain said. “directed against anyone. Our sole desire is a peaceful word, We hope our work in that direction will meet with the sympathy and support- of the League.” The League of Nations control of Austria will he considerably diminished liy the end of the year. The League’s High Commissioner will leave Vienna in accordance with the Finance Committee's report, recommending the gradual abolition of League control. Austria undertakes not to oppose therein trod net ion of control in the event of her failure to fulfil her obligations under the League.