A PEACEFUL WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 95, 23 April 1926, Page 7

A PEACEFUL WORLD.

HOPES FOR THE FUTURE.

FAITH IN THE LEAGUE

THE SINGAPORE BASE

(By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright.)

(Receired 1.30 p.m.l LONDON, April 22. Sir James Allen, High Commissionei for New Zealand, lecturing at Bridge water, said that the League of Nations was at present unable to provide a peaceful world, although everyone hopec that the timo would come when the League would effectively achieve th' purposes for which it was brought intc existence. The Washington Conference reducec the expenditure on capital ships but die not restrict the construotion of fasl cruisers and submarines. 'Jonsequentlj it did little to secure British Empire communications in tlie event of a con flict, especially in the Pacific; therefore Australia and New Zealand both sup ported the establishment of the Singa pore base. Australia and New Zealanc depended upon sea communications auc mutual assistance in case of attack. The late war showed this was a mat ter of vital Empire concern and it musl be the joint responsibilit of the whole Empire.— (A. and N.Z.) LEAGUE OF NATIONS. GREAT POWERS ON COUNCIL. BRITISH POLICY REAFFIRMED. LONDON, April 22.' Viscount Cecil, in reply to an inquiry in the House of Lords, reaffirmed the British view that only the great Powers should be permanent members of the Council of the League of Nations. He stated, however, that the delegation which was to attend the forthcoming meeting of ' the Commission to discuss the constitution of the Council would be free from any obligations in respect of declarations previously made. In reply to a question in the House of Commons the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Sir Austen Chamberlain, said that notwithstanding the fact that Russia, in terms which were not very courteous to the League or favourable to its objects, had declined to ■ attend the preparatory disarmament conference, if it were held in Switzerland. It would be held at Geneva on May .17, Strong efforts to settle the differences of the Soviet with: Switzerland had failed, and it was impossible for the League to transfer its Seat from Switzerland at the bidding of any Power which happened temporarily to. have!.'a diplomatic disagreement" /with' the;- -Swiss Government. — (A. and N-Z.-Reuter.) ' SOVIET AND THE SWISS. ■ . LONDON, April 2.2. In the House of Commons, in reply to a question, Sir Austen Chamberlain said

that notwithstanding Russia declining in terms not very courteous to the - League of Nations, or favourable to'; its object, to attend the preparatory" Disarmament Conference to be held in Swit- / 'zerland, it would meet at Geneva on ' ■ May 1-7. ':' ,x \. ■' ' . Strong efforts to settle ths Soviet | - Swiss difference had failed, and it was inipossible: for the League to transfer, its seat from Switzerland at the bidding of any Power which happens temporarily to have a diplomatic disagrement with the, Swiss Government.—A. arid N.Z.) BETTING IN FREE STATE. PROPOSED NEW TAXES. . LICENSES FOR BOOKMAKERS. H : '-■-' ■ ■ ____~- ' ; ' ■:'/'■ ■ ■,-*'■ «'•'■ '(Received 10.30 a.m.) * ".'■■> j LONDON, April 22. j The Free State Budget presented in the Dail Eireann introduces a betting tax of £10 to be charged for license to make bets on a racecourse. A fee of' £20-will be charged to carry on a betting business in a kousq. There will also be a five per cent tax on all sums j paid, the tax being collected by means) of stamps on slips or certified returns j provided by tbe bookmakers. It will be an offence to bet with bookmakers outside the Free State, and the post.i ..:■ office will take steps 'to prevent the.! transmission of betting telegrams . oi* -telephone messages. It is anticipated that the receipts will amount,to £200,000 £ per annum.— (A. and N.Z.) ■~