THE MANDATES COMMISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 174, 24 July 1923, Page 5

THE MANDATES COMMISSION.

THIRD SESSION OPENED. SHOUX.D THE PUBLIC KNOW ? SIR F. BEIX'S OBJECTION. (Bj Cable.—Pree Association.—Copyright.) (Received 1 p.m.) GENEVA, July 23. The Marquis Theodoli (President), in opening the third session of the Mandates Commission, said he had observed, especially in the statement of Sir Francis D. Bell, of New Zealand, certain apprehension, even displeasure, in connection with the work of the permanent Mandates Commission. Sir Francis Bell objected to the fact that the commission's report was addressed to the public and not to the Council of the League. On this point he thought there was a misunderstanding which should be removed, but from which may be drawn guidance for the future. There was no doubt that being under the terms of the covenant an advisory body to the council, they had no other duty than to submit the observation to the couucil on reports from mandatory Powers. It would be regrettable that our inquiries, carried out in a spirit of goodwill and the highest impartiality, should not be made known to the public. It would be desirable that the commission meet early enough to permit the council to consider its observations before communicating them to the Assembly. Satisfaction would thus be given both to the legitimate wishes of New Zealand and a general desire that the Assembly should be in possession of the commission's reports and observations in good time — (A. and N.Z. Cable.)