GERMAN COLONIES

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1919, Page 5

GERMAN COLONIES

MR.-MASSEY'S ARGUMENTS. ■ DIFFICULTIES OVER A NEW, PROVISION. Received Feb. 6, 8.25 p.m. Paris, Feb. 4. Although Mr. Massey's main argumejit against the mandatory. System was tTTe opportunity given for German economic, social and ultimately military penetration, lie also searchingly analysed the financial position, claiming that no State could vigorously develop a country if it had only revokable mandatory rights. Careful examination of this point resulted in the provision of the League of Nations scheme, providing that in the event of a deficit in the cost of administering the League of Nations' territory, any mandatory country can apply for the whole of the deficit, members of the league being bound tc make a proportional contribution. Difficulties immediately suggest themselves. Presumably the league would send auditors and exper I to examine the reason for the delimit, involving lengthy travelling and a prying investigation. Some of the members of the league may contend that the administrations had been weak, and stupid auditors may make a trenchant report affecting party politics in the mandatory State, and the question of the revision of revocation of the mandate may arise. These ditlieulties are being considered patiently, with a view to their solution.—United Service. TREATIES NOT AFFECTED. Received Feb. 7, 11.55 a.m. London, Feb. 5. Mr Balfour, writing to a correspondent on the constitution of the League of Nations, said it. would involve no modiMatrons, said it would involve no modification of treaties or alliances' previously concluded. Regarding the question whether special coalitions of several peoples could be formed outside the league the Peace Conference alone can decide. AUSTRALIAN IRRITATION UNABATED. Paris, Feb. 4. Australian irritation regarding the provisional arrangement as to the German colonies does not abate. A general criticism here is that the congress has met the colonial and Russian problems with tentative and unsatisfactory proposals.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.