MR BRUCE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1933, Page 5

MR BRUCE

WANTS COUNCIL SE4T. tUoitvid Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) GENEVA, September 26. The surprise election of the South African, Mr Te Water; yesterday, as President of the Assembly of the League of Nations, and its possible repercussion on the Council elections ■has been a general topic in the corridors to-day. It is now admitted that the Surprise decision yesterday was engineered by .a Norwegian, M. Hambro, who disowns any .intention of prejudicing Australia’s chances for the League Council seat. On the contrary', he declare,* that yesterday’s supp.orter s of 'Mr 'He Water will equally (support Australia. I Nevertheless, the Australian Press! Association learns that League officials I have intimated to both the British I and Australian delegations that it is j advisable to get busy .and obtain pro-1 mise3 of the necessary number of I votes. Britain is already exercising pressure in this direction. Consequently there is still confidence in the British circles that Australia will succeed the Irish Free State, as the hoicier of a throe-year seat on the Council A decision affecting Australia’s Council candidature wa s taken t O -day by the General Committee. This was ' a recommendation to the Assembly fo hold the election on the normal day next Monday, which those well informed state would strengthen Australia’s chances. There has been an attempt 'by the small Powers, who j under the grouping system are unable j to obtain a Council seat, to postpone the whole' of the elections ui:ti] both the Assembly and Council tackle the question, whether there should not he an extra .seat provided, which would ' give the .non-grouped Powers a ch; nee of representation. j To-day’s decision means that three vacancies will be first filled on October 2, leaving the question of enlargement of the Council till later. It is already 1 taken for granted that Argentine will be represented on 'Monday, and elected to the 'South American vacancy. ( The Australian Pres s Association says: The postponement of the open- j i.ng of the general debate .in the As- 1 sembly until to-morrow,. was merely due to the lack of speakers ready to take the rostrum, and set the ball rolling. As fils's happened Several times before, delegations are holding back until someone has intimated a will-, ingnegs to take the seat. j