UNORTHODOX PLEA BY N.Z. COMMISSIONER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 219, 16 September 1935, Page 7

UNORTHODOX PLEA BY N.Z. COMMISSIONER.

SIR ]. PARR'S SPEECH.

Appeal to Sportsmanship Raises Grim Smile.

WITH BRITAIN TO THE HILT.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, September 15

The Associated Press special correspondent at Geneva says that theoretically the Assembly has not yet discussed the Ethiopian dispute as the debates hayj been based on the Secretary-General's report.

All the British Dominions, with tlie exception of the Free Stale, for which Mr. de Valcra will speak on Monday, have now been heard. None approached Mr. to Water (South Africa) for vigour and originality.

Sir James Parr (Xew Zealand) alone specifically undertook to support Sir Samuel Hoare's policy to the hilt.

Mr. G. 11. Ferguson, on behalf of Canada, said Canada believes the League indispensable to world peace and cannot agree that any member is warranted in violating the pledges and resorting to war. If a peaceful settlement is not reached Canada will join with other members, considering how, by unanimous action, peace can be maintained.

Baron Aloisi was not present but other Italians listened carefully through telephone amplifiers. A grim smile came over Signor Rocco when Sir James Parr appealed to Italian sportsmanship. It was a decidedly unorthodox argument.

Threat to Smaller Nations. In flic Assembly tlie portion of Sir James Parr's speech, which was most appreciated, was his reference to the threat to smaller nations, which was applauded, especially by representatives of smaller European members.

However, a few minutes after Sir James Parr?s speech, the Italians distributed the Ministerial decisions from Rome, including the acceleration of military preparations indicating that the increasing Geneva disapproval was falling on deaf ears.

Sir James Parr, in his speech, said Xew Zealand accepted without reservation Sir Samuel IToare's policy.

Although New Zealand was farthest from the headquarters of the League, she yielded to none in her support of the Covenant and of collective security. Also, sho valued as a pledge of safety the Briand-Kellogg Pact.

"To-day is the League's great testing time," said Sir James. "Now is its vital hour. If the League at present is inactive it must end its influence and authority. Perhaps we, remotest from Europe, are inclined to subject international organisations to a practical test and we expect results. But lam concerned lest disappointment of the world's expectations on this crucial occasion may have far-reaching and lasting evil consequences.

Sanctity of Agreements. "New Zealand is lyit directly interested in the Abyssinian dispute, although any people in whom the spirit of sportsmanship is present must feel that when the strength of the parties to a dispute is so disproportionate there is a call for moderation by the more powerful one.

"Our material interests are not t stake, but we are tremendously concerned in the sanctity of agreements. If solemn pacts and covenants are broken up with impunity none, least of all small nations, are safe for a moment. Indeed, small nations would lose most if the principle of collective security were impaired.

"Sir Samuel TToare's declaration was explicit and admirable in all respects, and New Zealand unreservedly supports its policy and accepts its implications, always recognising that under the Covenant the responsibility is not on one but on all of us. The League has failed greatly on other occasions. It cannot afford to fail again."

FEROCIOUS THREATS.

Mutilation and Death to All

Invaders

FIERY ABYSSINIANS

(Received 2 p.m.)

LONDON, September 15.

"The Times" Addis Ababa correspondent in a copyright message, states that 2000 itinerant merchants assembled at St. Giorghi's Square with rifles and cartridge belts and listened to fiery speeches, then inarched to the Palace prior to mobilisation. The Emperor promised redress of their grievances regarding the Government's posts and received a promise of full military support. The grandees then administered the oath of loyalty amid ferocious threats of mutilation and death to all invaders.

DEFENCE OF EGYPT.

REPORT OFFICIALLY DENIED

(Received 2 p.m.)

LONDON, September 15.

The Cairo correspondent of the British United Press reports that after a discussion with Vice-Admiral C. M. Forbes, second in command of the Mediterranean Fleet, the Prime Minister of Egypt, Nossim Pasha, announced that the Vice-Admiral had assured him that Britain was prepared to assume the defence of Egypt in the event of war between Italy and Abyssinia.

An official communique, however, denies the report.

MALTA ORDINANCES.

PREVENT SCAREMONGERING.

(Received 11.30 a.m.)

MALTA, September 15,

Ordinances arc being promulgated to prevent searemongering. These include a month's imprisonment for spreading false statements, powers to suspend newspapers, and the prohibition of the importation of seditious books and newspapers.