LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1926, Page 3

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

iAustralia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

BRIT A IN’S ATT IT U DE. LONDON, February 23

Tho possibility of Rritaiu supporting further candidates for the League. Countnl was indicated by Sir Austen Chamberlain (Foreign Secretary) at Birmingham.

After pointing out that the composition of the Council had already been debated before Germany’s entry on mo into the sphere of practical politics, Sir Austen said lie would not discuss individual claims, but pointed out that the Council consisted of eleven members including Germany. Asked whether eleven nations were sufficient to speak the moral judgment of the world when, in the most* critical circumstances, six thereof might be unablo to vote or participate in tlm decision because they themselves were interested parties and the views of the Council might be the views of a minority. Sir Austen Chamberlain expressed the opinion that was putting too great a strain upon their loyalty and faith. Tie saiil that if a suitable addition to the Council could be found, there was good reason for some addition to their numbers.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN HEWS. [Reuter Telegrams.] NATIONAL .MORTGAGE DIVIDEND LONDON, February 24. The National Mortgage and Agency Coy of New Zealand lias declared a final dividend of eigbteenpenec and a bonus of two shillings, both tax free. SALE OF WORKS OF ART. LONDON, February 21. The House of (.'ominous, by 19(5 to ]l4, gave permission to Mr Sle.xser to introduce a bill prohibiting the export of works of art; ancient buildings and memorials. 51 r Slesser drew attention to the increasing outflow of treasures to America. He gave as an instance the demolition of Warwick Priory and its re-erection in America. Several Conservatives resented the interference with the liberty of many estate holders who were only able to keep up their establishment by realising their art treasures. LOCARNO TREATY SIGNED BY KING. LONDON, February 23. The seal lias been set to the Locarno Treaty by his Majesty the King signing the instrument of ratification. M. BRI AND'S SOIL LONDON, Feh. 21. Tho Paris correspondent of the ‘‘Times" states the Senate Committee's efforts to report the Chamber s financial havoc leads to the belief that it will be necessary for the taxes to be sanctioned within a week or Government will resign. The latter eventually is unlikely, although nobody can explain how 51. Briaiid will sway the Chamber. Everybody is forcibly impressed by the nasty shock to the franc, which was due to the Chamber's reluctance to balance the Budget. The Chamber's Finance Committee is pleased with 51 Briaud's proposal to reduce the tax on payments as a sop to the Chamber, while still producing ample revenue.

There is a general desire In avoid a crisis.

THE CANTON TROUBLE

AMERICAN PAPER SPEAKS OUT. (Received this day at 9.30 a.rri.) PEKING, Feb. 21. J| The American organ, the ‘‘Peking Leader,” in an editorial, says: ‘Tf tlie Canton Government does not stoj> its seizures, it either acknowledges a lack ' of authority over the strike pickets, or it definitely repudiates its treaties. For some time the Canton Government has maintained that it is- independent of Peking, and lias tried to get recognition by powers as an independent Government, yet up to the present it has accepted tho customs administration as controlled from Peking. A Inch the same sort of domestic independence, with a recognition of Chinese unity in dealing with foreign powers, has been maintained by other parts of China. This has been the basis of the attitude of the powers Y'~ to China. If tl« Chinese authorities at Canton an** elsewhere refuse to assume this unity in foreign affairs, it may mean a breakdown, nominally, of National Government. The Powi might then he compelled to deal individually with the separate parts of China, which would enormously complicate an already confused situation, and might, oven create a danger of partitioning the country.”

alleged wire felling. LONDON, Fob. 21. That lie ilicl not believe n word of it > and thought it was calculated to stir up feeling and was mischievous, were the comments of the Marylebonc Secretary, Mr Lacey, when he was shown a sensational evening paper article purporting to disclose cut and dried plans for to-morrow’s Marylehone meeting, at which live test selections and a captain, will he appointed and criticising the authorities, first, for the fact that if the proposed plans are car- !• it'd, Gilligati would he the only member of the Committee with Australian experience; secondly, because not one of the groat English professionals worn! have a place, the strings having been pulled against the co-operation of A Hobbs and Rhodes, and, thirdly, liecause several amateurs with the best 'experience would lie passed over. Mr Lacey added that he would surely have known if any such arrangements had been made. He could not believe it had been done without his knowledge. He understood that olio member of the Board of Control would like to propose the name, of a very famous professional.