THE LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1920, Page 5

THE LEAGUE.

INTERNATIONAL COURT.

DEBATE ON JURISDICTION.

DIVERGENCE OF VIEWS. 17 T«l«gr»pli.—Pre» Assn.—Copyright. Geneva, Dec. 14. The Assembly examined the Commission's report on the International Court. Several members of the Commission were strongly of opinion that the Court could only be established by a protocol, net by<a- resolution of the Assembly. Others feared this would establish a harmful precedent. The Commission finally agreed, if possible, to submit the constitution of the Oottrt lor the approval of the Governments without creating a precedent, and that when the protocol had been signed by a. majority the Court could come into .being. The Commission agreed that when Labor questions came before the Court the; special Chamber of five judges ihould be assisted by four technical advista*' without the right to vote. Na-tions-signing the protocol may at any time' declare in favor of compulsory jurisdiction Without a special agreement in relation to any other State accepting the same obligation. Received Dec. 14, 5.5 p.m. Geneva, Dec. 13. Mr. Millen gave a luncheon to the SriUrti delegation. ' The Assembly debate occupied the morning and afternoon sittings, and was confined entirely to delegates from the ■mailer nations, who regretted, that the Jurisdiction was not made compulsory. The delegate from Panama pointed out that no measures had been devised to enforce the decrees of the Court. i Ht. Balfour said that by implication H hid been suggested that some of ijk* fjreat Powers were obstructing the. fall development of the Court. The names of Britain and France were mentioned in* this respect. Speaking for Britain, he said she ardently supported Hie new Court, but preferred voluntary to compulsory jurisdiction. If the Court Was to be successful, they must sJW Its free gfow'tF, which was the fNeret of permanent success. The Court was created to administer international law, which itself was ever changing and growing.—Aub.-N.Z: Cable Assn.

THB report adopted. Received Dec. 14, 8.40 p.m. Geneva, Dee. 14.

lbs Assembly unanimously adopted th* report on International Courts 4ui. and N.Z. Cable Ann.

MR. BALFOUR'S WARNING.

AXffift THE LEAGUE'S MOULD.

Received Dee. 14, 7.40 p.m.

Genera, Dec. 13. Id the Assembly of the League Mr. AtlfOtfr Mid that if in a hasty spirit tt»y tried to force nations into the league's mould, the latter would break and inflict a fatal blow on the greatest instrument the world had yet contrived lor carrying out international justice.— Am and N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE BUDGET COMMISSION. ■ Geneva, Dec. 13. As ht at the Cotntaiflsion is concerned it 1U Site decided to retain the Postal Cdnvefctloa scheme as the basis for eftfttHouMon in 1921. The Budget Committee was appointed to draft s scheme for equitable paygMntt in the 1920 budget.

PSOTESTS BY DOMINIONS.

Geneva, Dec 13. Mr. Milien, at the Budget Commission, ajiertionad whether Mr. Thomas'* exphUiatjpa of the Labor organisation's expenditure satisfied anyone. He said thai tii* rapidity with which the expendittrt was increasing Might soon Bad tfee League faced with a budget of two miUwns. Australia's contribution wa» unfair and unjust, and would cause Parliament to scan the expenditure minUteif. He suggested that an advance etrpf of the Butet should reach the distant States at least six weeks before th* Mtfgfoaj an? later alteration* to be notifled by eatye, ; Mr. Rowel] (Canada) protested against tha aotlos fit the London Conference in regard to AnnenU. He declared that the fcdmiision of new States ought to be Jettled at Geneva—not in London, Paris |* Rome. Lord Hdbert Cecil and M. Hansen supfortf*. Mr. Bowell.