DUTIES UNDER MANDATES

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1926, Page 11

DUTIES UNDER MANDATES

REPLY TO QUESTIONAIRE "COMMISSION'S MISCONCEPTIONS." THE HEARING OF PETITIONS. i By Telegraph—Tress Asen.--Copyright. Loudon, Nov. 21. The British Foreign Office, after com suiting Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, made a lengthy reply to the famous questionnaire of the Mandates Commission. The reply quotes M. Hyman’* report to the League Council in 1920, declar. ing that the Council was not required, either itself or through the Mandates Commission, to examine every detail of the administration and does not possess the means to discharge such a herculean task. Britain adds: “In view of these considerations the Empire’s mandatory Governments feel the Mandate Commission's proposals are based on a misconception of both the Council’s and the Commission's duties and responsibilities. The theory that petitioner* should have means of making their grievances known is correct, but the suggestion that the Advisory Commission should give the petitioner a hear, ing is incorrect and dangerous application of (he theory. “The questionnaire, therefore, is unnecessary for the purpose for which the mandates were established, and irreconcilable with M. Hyman’s principles, which the Council accepted. If the Commission requires further information regarding tlie petitions Britain is confident 'the mandatory Powers will be ready to reply fully to such inquiry. “Britain repeats the assurance formerly given by British representatives that they appreciate the care, attention and devotion with which the Mandates Commission has discharged its task and trusts the Commission will not regard Britain’s reply as unfriendly or depre. eatory.” London, Nov. 22. The Times says: “The British reply to the mandates questionnaire provides an example of Yommon action. Mr. Chamberlain's original emphatic disapproval of the inquisitorial document might have been a trifle impatient and the language severe, but the whole Empire endorsed his attitude and it is to be hoped nothing more will be heard of IL"