PAYING FOR PEACE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1930, Page 8

PAYING FOR PEACE

LEAGUE OF NATIONS VOTE.

WELLINGTON, August 22,

A vote of £IO,IBO towards the expenses of the League of Nations was an item in the Prime Mtnister’s departmental estimates which caused a brief discussion.'i n the House to-day. Questions were asked regarding the method of assessment, and it was explained by the Hon G. W; Forbes that the League’s contributories were assessed in i proportion. There was a total of 10, Australia 27, the United Kingdom 140, Canada GO, Italy 60, and the total budget was 38,210,000 gold Ira ncs.

A member: How much is that?

The Prime Minister: 5,570,000 dollars. (Laughter). Mr Forbes added, in response' to another general inquiry, “How much is that ?” a suggestion that if members divided it by five they would find it something over a million sterling. New Zealand’s actual payment Tast year was £10,185, and the present vote wa» £IO,IBO.

Mr Wright (Wellington Suburbs) remarked that there appeared to bo heavy expenditure on the travelling allowances of League officers, but, if they were occupied in explaining the objects of the League, with its aim of preventing war, it was money well spent, especially if they concentrated on the more bellicose nations. Mr AVaite (Clutha) hoped it would not be said that Parliament objected to New Zealand’s expenditure of £IO,OOO on the League of Nations. Personally, he thought that if the League spent anything up to five millions in endeavouring to prevent war it would not he too muck Labour members: What has comrover you? (Laughter.) Mr Waite replied that he was concerned about adequate defence, but be regarded the League of Nations as a. valuable organisation. It was quite separate from the League of Nations Union, which sent lecturers around the world, and was a voluntary "'organisation maintained on guinea subscriptions. He hoped that Labour members duly paid their guinea. (Laughter.) If Now Zealand bore its share of the work of the League of Nations in endeavouring to ensure the peace of the world, its expenditure was not a bit too much. The Prime Minister explained that the Dominion had no control over the amount of the League’s expenditure. Its proportion was officially allocated, and New Zealand was notified of the amount it had to pay.