LEAGUE MEETING

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1933, Page 5

LEAGUE MEETING

THE NEW PRESIDENT SURPRISE CAUSED. .UuiWd Press Association —By Electric leitgiaph—Copyrignti GENEVA, September 25. Tile election of Air Charles le "Water of South Arrica to the presidency was the biggest surprise in the history of the Assembly openings. For tbe first

time the voting went totally against all. expectations. Mr To Waters’ election nonplussed tbe secretariat, because, despite English being the official language with French, all the president’s instructions are in French, necessitating an immediate translation. Mr Te Water’s election was mainly

due to the Mexican candidate’s inability to speak English or French. Moreover, the Mexicans threatened to leave the League if not elected which annoyed several Powers. The election means that South Africa no longer contemplates opposing Australia on the Council.

Mr Te Waters, the incoming president had no speech prepared, but in a. brief speech, he said that South Africa had known war and experienced all its bitterness, but in the latter days, peace had obliterated the (past, and he offered her as on example to some greater nations,

"I shall bring to my task the valuable experience of young nations that comprise the British Commonwealth. There are no nations more determined to keep pence than that group.”

M. Mowinchel, retiring president, in his speech, reviewed the world outlook. He expressed keen regret that since the Great'War, little progress had been made towards securing a better understanding between peoples. On the contrary, fear and the possibility of war, was ever hanging as a constant menace over the future of nations. It was natural, but wholly unfair ,to 111 am© the League, and it was the primary duty of the League members to- strengthen the credit of the League in the eyes of the world. Referring to the World Economic Conference, and the Disarmament Conference, he said that if the great notions came to such conferences with views that were difficult to reconcile it might be said in advance a favourable result conkl not be reached, even if all the other Powers were agreed. He expressed hope in the Four Power Pact, as an instrument ropeasing Franco-German differences, possibly bringing an understanding, and even friendship, in the torn and divided Europe.

ARGENTINE REJOINING LEAGUE BUENOS AIRES, September 26. The Argentine Government plans immediate .participation in the League of Nations, following on the approval by the Senate of Argentine membership, with a proviso that the Munro Doctrine shall be regarded as unflteral not as multilateral.