THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1926, Page 3

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

D rSA RM A M ENT DI SC CSS lON. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) GENEVA, September 14. Disarmament is the League’s supreme task, but the hopeless complexity of the problem was revealed in a debate on the third commission which reached no decision. The debate was initiated upon the proposed convention controlling tlie private manufacture of arms as a corollary to tlie convention for control of traffic in arms. After an hour’s discussion Mr Latham (Australia) pointed out it was little use discussing separate phases of the subject while general disarmament was held up in uncertainty. Bernstorff promptly pledged Germany’s lofal and assiduous co-opera-tion in the task of disarmament and suggested to refer all inter-related issues to a preparatory commission. Paul Boncour pointed out the plight of the smaller States, who did not own arsenals. He said it would be fatal to the League’s prestige if the idea got 1 abroad that the League only staged an academic discussion. This might he the cause, if Governments went on accepting. without ratifying conventions. Personally he was a firm believer in a , successful general disarmament. A conference wou]s be possible sooner than- many imagined. Lord Onslow voiced Britain’s desire for caution. He said the smaller States were seized with- the necessity of not jeopardising general disarmament by a preliminary conference upon manufacture. Finally Jouhnnx (France') tabled a .motion that unless it was evident that a general disarmament conference he / uield before next assembly, a separate conference upon the manufacture of arms be convened at the earliest date. LONDON. Sept, 13. Jouhaux motion was unanimously adopted and a suib-Cornmitte was appointed to draw up a political formula for the next meeting.