A.—s

22

hand, where could they find a home ? Willingness to receive a number of them has been expressed by various countries where conditions are suitable, but Dr. Nansen fully ajipreciated the fact that it was impossible for New Zealand to offer to receive them. Perhaps the most interesting and far-sighted action in this respect is that taken by Czecho-Slovakia. The Government there is maintaining and training five thousand University students. It believes, and with good reason, that in any reformed and regenerated Russia these five thousand University-trained students, grown to manhood, will have an important influence on the relations between Czecho-Slovakia and its great neighbour. There was little criticism of Dr. Nansen's proposals, which simply asked the Governments to help his delegates in their respective countries, and to receive refugees and help find them work where possible. The only other resolution recommended the adoption of identity certificates—a system intended to facilitate the passage of refugees from Russia. The report to the Assembly which embodies these proposals (Document No. A. 129) was adopted by tho Assembly on the 28th September, Obscene Publications .— This question was raised on the initiative of the British Delegation. An agreement (not involving any legislative action) had been made in 1910 upon the subject; further, a Convention had been drafted then, of which tho objective had been to secure further action. Tho Convention had remained a draft, however, and it was now proposed that it should be adopted. It was, in the first instance, proposed that a Conferenqe should be called by the League to consider the matter. In deference, however, to French susceptibilities it was decided that as France had taken the initiative on the former occasion she should be invited to do so again, on or about the time, of meeting of the next Assembly. Meanwhile, it was decided that tho draft Convention, together with a questionnaire, should be sent out to the respective Governments for their observations. By this means a body of considered opinion would bo obtained before the meeting of the conference of experts. The Commission's report (Document No. A. 130) was adopted by the Assembly on the 28th September. Deported Women and Children. —Reference is requested on this point to the last report. Events since that report was written show clearly that the number cannot yet be guessed of the women and children who need help. How far such work can be successful depends, of course, both on the attitude of the Turkish authorities and also of the steadiness with which the work is carried on. As regards the former, the whole of Asia Minor is in a blaze at the time that this report is written. So far, however, as the organization of the work is concerned, no exception can be taken as to what has been done. It has been impossible to appoint a High. Commissioner, but tho work has been and will continue to be carried out by the Commission of Inquiry. The work of Miss Joppo, acting alone and single-handed in Aleppo, is of a very noble, character and deserves sincere admiration. The recommendations of the Assembly (Document No. A. 97) approve Dr. Kennedy's report and ask for tho, support of Governments responsible for territories where the work is carried on. They were confirmed by the Assembly at its meeting on the 28th September. COMMITTEE No. 6. Mandates. —As the, question of mandates is being dealt with in a special and comprehensive report it will perhaps be sufficient hero to refer to a protest which Sir Francis Bell thought it necessary to make as regards the procedure of considering the reports upon the, administration of the mandates. The point turns on the power of tho Permanent Mandates Commission to make public what may be considered to be its opinion of the conduct of tho Mandatory as regards its mandate before consideration by the Council. This opens up the question whether the Permanent Mandates Commission should be the body to issue what to all intents and purposes is an authoritative and final report. The Dominion of New Zealand, for example, is not directly represented on the Permanent Mandates Commission or on the Council, and Sir Francis Bell stated that in his opinion it is for the Council and not for the Permanent Mandates Commission to review the general conduct of tho Mandate, and after such review issue an authoritative report. In actual practice tho procedure adopted this year was to examine the reports and question the representatives of the Mandatories at private meetings, but afterwards to hold a public meeting at which tho opinions of tho Permanent Mandates Commission on the administration of the mandated territories was made known, and at which the representatives of the Mandatories were again examined. At this public meeting the. Chairman's speech was largely the Commission's report and contained passages of adverse criticism. Sir Joseph Cook was in communication with his Government, and he, later despatched from London to Geneva comments on the Commission's observations. The Commission may hold tho opinion that all tho evidence was weighed and due consideration given to it when making its report, but some of the representatives of the Mandatories arc not satisfied that this is so, and are convinced that before publication the report of the Commission should be considered by the Council and have attached to it the comments of the representatives of the Mandatories upon it. In essence the procedure adopted allows the Permanent Mandates Commission to publish what may be a totally incorrect statement both as regards opinion and fact concerning the administration of the mandate. The result raises grave considerations. Firstly, the. publication itself before review by the Council may have very harmful consequences, and, secondly, such powers of the Permanent Mandates Commission go very far towards allowing it to be the final body of review both as regards administration of the mandate and the relations of the Mandatory to its mandate. This year, for example, the Council has simply referred the Mandates Commission's reports to the Assembly, which