THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3650, 11 December 1920, Page 5

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

THE GENEVA ASSEMBLY. SPEEDING UP BUSINESS. Eeeeived 10.20 a.m. ' GENEVA, Dec. 10. In order to conclude business by 18th inst. at the latest, the Assembly has decided to hold two sessions daily. REPORT ON MANDATES. The Council's report on the mandates, creating a permanent" Commission, shows that M, Hymans <on 30th November, telegraphed the Allied Powers urging tthe extreme importance of issuing the manages, and requested the necessary information from the Assembly before tne end of the session. : The report added: "However great its desire to see Allied Powers agreed upon the draft of the mandates, the Council cannot, in default of such an agreement, indefinitely postpone its obligations under the Covenant in regard to the issue of the mandates."

THE ECONOMIC WEAPON. The Assembly discussed and adopted the report of the sub-committee on the economic weapon. The report was merely academic, and raises a number of questions which only the permanent Blockade Commission can investigate and determine. 'ADMISSION OF AUSTRIA.

During 'the Commission's discus- - sion on the admission of Austria, Senator Millen said he had been convinced by the testimonial of Austria's former enemies; but he made one reservation. Germany appeared to be inclined to make claims on the Pacific Islands. Australia did not wish to risk having enemies established at her doors. He would like to know Austria's attitude thereon if she entered the League. Subsequent to this reservation Australia is entirely favourable to Austria 7 s admission to the League of Nations. SENATOR MILLEN INTERVIEWED. Received 12.10 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 10. Senator Millen, who mainly devoted himself: to the Budget Commission this week, interviewed, said there had been a spirit of contests between

those who were apparently inclined to accept the secretariates propasals and those endeavouring- to impose a check on excessive expenditure. Although it cannot be said that entirely satisfactory safeguards had beeSi secured, it was.certain that definite checks had been obtained,, and a distinct step gained by the appCTstment of a committee to inquire into the organisation and salaries of the secretariat and Labour organisations. There is still a chance of some more equitable appointment of expenditure between members of the League being evolved instead of the existing system. Senator' Millen is hopeful of securing relief from Australia's heavy contribution but countries benefitting under the Postal Convention scheme were fighting vigorously against any alteration. He said a number of delegates, conscious of the difficulties of bi-lingualism, had drafted a resolution suggesting that children be taught the mother tongue and another, as an easy means of international communication. They would also ask the secretariat to report to the next session on the results attending the teaching of Esperanto. -