THE LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1920, Page 5

THE LEAGUE.

RULING BY MANDATES,

JAPAN AGREES TO THEM. FINANCES OF THE LEAGUE, By TelsjrnPh—Press Assn Copyright, Received Dec. 10, 5.5 p.m. Geneva, Dec. 17. The Japanese submitted a declaration relating to mandates. They still have a firm conviction concerning their claim for equal opportunities for trade and commerce, but from a spirit of conciliation and co-operaton, and a reluctance to see the question unsettled any longer, they have decided to agree to the issue of the mandates' in their present form. But the decision should not be considered as an acquiescence in discriminatory and disadvantageous treatment in the mandated territories, nor have they discarded the rights and interests enjoyed by Japanese subjects. The Assembly considered the Budget. Sir George Foster .(Canada) reported that Argentina, Salvador and Paraguay had not paid their contribution. It was a. primary obligation to promptly pay the allotments. He admitted the method of distribution was unfair; South Africa and others paid as much as Britain. A committee of five, in conjunction with the Postal Union, should be apponted to draft a formula for an equitable allocation. Sir James Allen (New Zealand) characterised the salary and allowances of the secretary of £IO,OOO per annum as altogether too high. He compared it with what the Governor-General of New Zealand and the Prime Minister received. Sir James also opposed expensi ive Labor organisation.

An Indian delegate thought the salaries had been fixed at a time when the people were engaged upon the war, and thought in millions. Mr. A. J. Balfour (Britain) said the attach on the secretary's salary called for a reply. He ventured to say Sir James Allen's comparisons were misleading and erroneous. No man went into politics as a monetary profession, said Mr. Balfour. A politician looked for fame; he stood in .the limelight and sought for power, and these were his rewards. The Secretary-General ;ould not be measured by a politician's standard, or that of a civil'servant. The powers at Versailles had created Ithe office, named his pay, and it would be discreditable for the Assembly to go back upon an arrangement thus made. Apart from this, he was prepared to defend the salary upon its merits The head of a great organisation like the League should not be placed on a lower plane than an Ambassador.

After a spiritless debate the Budget was adopted. The Council's mandate decision on the lines forecasted has given Senator Milieu (Australia) the utmost satisfaction. It is a tribute to his efforts to secure a solution in conformity with Australia's desires.

M. .lonescu, on behalf of Roumania" submitted a proposition for an international expedition of 40,000 inter-Allied troops, the expedition to be composed on a population basis. The President paid a tribute to the proposal, but thought it should be referred to a commission. Ultimately the Armenian Commission undertook to report on the suggestion to-morrow.— Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

POWER UNDER MANDATES.

SOME IMPORTANT RESTRICTIONS. Received Dec. 19, f>.s p.m. Geneva, Dee. 18. Count Mensdorff, representing Austria, took his seat without ceremony. The Assen.vy considered the commission on mandates report, which strongly complained that the Council, had not given it an opportunity to see the mandates, and was keeping them confidential to the last moment.

The terms of the mandates are little more than a repetition of the conditions contained in the covenant. The commission felt the mandatory should not use its position to increase its military strength; secondly, should not use its power to exploit for itself the natural resources in mandated territories.

Lord Robert Cecil was disappointed that the Council was not'giving a draft of the mandates to the commission for discussion. Mr. Balfour admitted that neither the commission nor the Assembly had an opportunity of considering the mandates; the Council took full responsibility. He could not approye the report's observations on an increase in military strength or the exploitation of resources without due reward. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

THANKS TO NEW ZEALAND. HELP TO STRICKEN EUROPE. Received Dec. 19, 11 p.m. Geneva, Dec. 18. The Assembly approved of the salary of the President of the International Court at 6000 Dutch florins. The President thanked the New Zealand Government for the help given to Belgium and to the suffering children of Europe during the war. After addresses by M Hymans and M. Motta, the Assembly was prorogued.Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

MANDATES ADOPTED. Geneva, Dec. 17. The Council adopted the mandates in a form satisfactory to Australia. ADMISSION OF ALBANIA. Geneva, Dec. 17. After a strong appeal British delegates supported M. Viviani, and the Assembly unanimously admitted Albania, refused to admit Azerbaijan, Liehtenstein and Ukraine, but remitted to the committee an amendment to the Covenant on the question of devising a method to attach to the League States which are too small to become members. The- report of the Fourth Commission was considered, Sir" James Allen speaking on the subject of the personnel of the Secretariat He desired that officials be appointed for not longer than five years. No one could say whether the League would become permanent, though all hoped it would. Therefore it was undesirable to commit members to long-dated official appointments. Mr. Milieu thought Sir James Allen's point was covered by the proposal to appoint a committee to deal with the whole subject of personnel. Sir James Allen accepted the sugges-