LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1925, Page 2

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Australia A N.Z. Cable Association.] INTERNATIONAL UN EM PI J>Y ED. AUSTRALIA W ANTS VALUE. (Special (o tin* Australian Press As-.it. i (Received this day at, 8 a.mA GENEVA, September ]:!. Another echo of international migration control arose during the Fiit.li ('ommission’s discussion on the Russian refugees, the Austrian delegate asking: “Should not the International Labour Office deal with all nations’ unemployed.” The Italian delegates were very anxious that the question should he remitted to the existing Mili-eominittet engaged in technical aspects, hut the Canadian (Mr Riddel) commented that the British Community of Nations' best efforts relating to unemployment and migration had but poorly progressed. It would tremendously increase the difficulty ol the rclogees' task il the unemployeds were linked to it. The Duchess of Athol warned the

la-ague that if assistance were extended beyond the refugees, the Labour Ollice would become an international emigration bureau. Even now

migration was one of the .Empire’s

greatest difficulties. Eventually the thin edge of the migration wedge was frustrated by the appointing of a sub-committee to dralt proposals dealing only with refugees. The Australians thereby were much relieved. M. I.oueheur iii moving in the liflh Commission in favour of a world economic investigation, said he would not think of including Inter-Allied debts and migration. The latter was one of the important test phases of any country’s economic s. It-, inclusion would probably jeopardise the entilerence. lord Cecil said that even then an inquire would embrace most delicate subiocfs. including raw materials.. It would nt present be dangerous to have even a preliminary investigation: therefore, he submitted an amendment that the Covncil consider the advisability of holding an inquiry. Mr Swinburne in an informal ive survey of the League's budget, emphasises that though the accounts are nearing stabilisation, some of the smaller States, which contribute the least, are the most insistent in the encouragement. of expenditure, fn that connection lie was assisted hy Britain to curb 1 1 1< ■ useless health expenditure till the i ommittec have examined the projects. It was easy for any department to build up a huge and cost Iv organisation under which

it would he able to dispense with considerable patronage. Australia’com ern was to get full value for

money, because she was asked to pay more in the currciil budget m which Britain was raised fifteen jKiints: yet Brazil. Italy. India and Spain had obtained reductions. The Empire paid twenty eight per i cut of the expenses on the present basis. This was regarded as most, unsatisfactory, and a committee should 1m? appointed to reconsider t! e whole budget plan.

As a result of trie benefit of exchange. a surplus of £300.000 has accumulated. which would normally go to the reduction of the next contributions. Nome are clamouring for the surplus to be spent on the new hall, hut there i- a strong feeling that the amount, which is really an overcharge, should he distributed among the present members, leaving future members to meet the co-t of the hall from the ordinary Budget. If the money is distributed Australia will receive £20,000. The eleventh hour decision to refer Mosul matters to an International Court was a great surprise, but there is little doubt that otherwise, the Council's deeison would have beep in Britain’s favour.