EQUAL RIGHTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 232, 2 October 1933, Page 7

EQUAL RIGHTS.

ARMAMENT ISSUE.

WIDE DIVERSITY.

French and German Proposals

Examined.

MINISTER RETURNS TO BERLIN.

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, October 1. The disarmament conversations at Geneva, in which Sir John Simon again took a prominent part, were suspended on Friday night on the departure of the German delegates for Berlin, where Ba>ron von Neurath will put his Government in possession of the latest facts of the discussion. It is hoped that the Germans will return to Geneva next week, and the importance which is attached to the reply they will bring is fully recognised in view of the fact that the Bureau of the Disarmament Conference is due to meet the following week. The questions in dispute between the French and Germans have been narrowed down, but the divergences on those which remain arc understood to be wide. Geneva reports suggest that the principle of supervision of armaments, as proposed by France, if equally applied, is acceptable to Germany, but the interpretation of Germany's claim to equal rights raises difficulties. The French view provided for limitations at the presest level with eventual reduction, within a limited period, of all armaments, effectives and military expenditure, after a general permament control had been set up, and provided that the trial period gave good results and that there was some guarantee for security. The Germans, on the other hand, are understood to claim that the princple of equality of rights entitles them to the possession of "samples" of all armaments, including those forbidden to her by the Treaty of Versailles. Before the German Foreign Minister, Baron von Neurath, left for Berlin, he said to journalists: "Germany will claim the right to erect and arm defensive fortifications on her eastern borders." It is learned from other sources that Germany intends to insist upon the possession of scouting aeroplanes and antiaircraft guns. The League Assembly's debate is expected to conclude on Monday after the council elections. British circles anticipate a definite outcome of all the negotiations about the middle of next week. The local Press asserts that Dr. Goebbcls, German Minister of Propaganda, prior to returning to Berlin, had a long, secret talk with a member of the French delegation. However, it is recognised that Paris and Berlin are the centres where vital decisions will be made within a few days.

VERGE OF WAR.

EUROPE ON LIP JOT PRECIPICE,

(Received 10 a.m.)

LONDON", October 1

Mr. Wm. Mabane. M.P. (Nat. L., Huddersfield), after two. months' investigations in Europe, writes that Europe stands on the very lip of the precipice of war, which can only be averted by a revision of peace treaties.