THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1929, Page 5

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

MANDATES DISCUSSED,

STATEMENT BY SIB J. PARE

(United Press Association.—By Electric

Telegraph .—Copyright.)

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) • ' GENEVA, September 14. A widespread discussion on Mandates included ' Palestine and so-called tem-

porary mandates; also South Africa’s alleged claim for sovereignity of SouthWest. Africa. Everybody sympathised with the victimsolf' the Palestine disorders, but hoped and believed that Britain’s measures would prevent a recurrence. When the Italian and German delegates called certain mandates, tor example Tanganyika, merely “temporary .French,” the New Zealand spokesman offered strenuous protests. Sir J. Parr ; said the talk a(bout temporary mandates upheld mandatories discharg-ing-'their trust, but Vno mandatory ' would'accept such ! a definition. Allied and associated powers had conferred mandates. It was for the. League to ' supervise mandatories work. “We are doing our best, let 'u§ go on and nbt employ a word which ~ gives the natives the idea that the mandate is nenrly provisional, thus "impeding our work. It would be disastrous if such a view were upheld,” ■'H The British delegate; ’Mrs Swanwick, ; argued that any alienation of the mandates'’required the assent of Allied and associated Powers, which ' conferred them. ’'

' German and Italian ' delegates disjeiited. ; . i ' ‘', -. Replying to a Swiss, member, the South African,' Mr Louw, promised to attempt to define more precisely the Government’s viewpoint regarding South-West Africa.

. The Irish Foreign Minister, Mr Mac■Gillig'ari,' signed- the Optional, Clause on behalf of the Free State, for twenty years; \ t ; i

' Free State delegate O’Sullivan bluntly 1 ' criticised the tariff holiday.proposal. He said asking countries to ;renounce

tariff ’safeguards was asking some to commit harikari. .The. Free State only wished to use protection where necessary, but refused to 1 bind its hand. Moreover, if this were the first step

towards an economic United States of

Europe, the proposal required the full- . .est examination, i. Euler (Canadian) said that Canada as a young country was placed differently from Europe, it'would'be Unreasonable, to expect her to open her markets to thoset excluding hef" product. Possible tariff, developments .outside Europe, also the proxir .rnity v 6£ the -Imperial.,Qonferenqe, necr .J i essitate.d, i !QftnadfV; ,-reserying, freedom :of .action.) ; . i i < • ' * i , , (iteceived this day at 8 a.m.) ■'V,'/. . .GENEVA,; September 14. .. The, British delegation reports satisfactory progress is, being made in its

principal qim? at the present Assembly.

Though 'there is no sign of attaining ji 5 ! United, Empire: on the Optional clause, the British are confident | there is at : any rate an agreement to sign by the whole, Empire before the , Assembly ends, holding the view that

an ..Australian election is <dn unneces-

•fiary ' prelude to their signature; pro- ' .vided the iform of reservation' is held ...over till after the election. - Xhe> whole problem of immigration barriers especially United States immi•gration litws may shortly come before the League, ::

• ' The German delegation introduced ia, resolution demanding: the League Council decide whether'the-League can usefully take up the question/' and if so in what form. , Jt is reported that the plan for financial assistance in the event of aggression.''has been shelved -for at'least a year owing to. the difficulties of drafting a convention acceptable generally.