TEXT OF REPORT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 223, 20 September 1935, Page 7

TEXT OF REPORT.

COMMITTEE OF FIVE.

Far-reaching Scheme for Control

Of Abyssinia,

TASKS OF DEVELOPMENT,

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

LONDON, September 19. The "Daily Telegraph" publishes the text of the report of the Committee of Five set up by the League Council to recommend a basis for the settlement of the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia. The report reveals a far-reaching scheme for the internal reorganisation of Abyssinia, including the following proposals:— (1) Special police to provide security for foreigners. (2) Frontier police to prevent the slave traffic, plunder and smuggling. (3) Steps to allow foreigners to participate in the economic development of the country, in land ownership and in industrial enterprises. (4) Plans for public works and the reorganisation of postal and telegraphic communication. (5) A State Budget, control of expenditure and a proper system of tax collection. ((5) Reorganisation both of the mixed and native Courts, public healtli and education services. The committee suggests that the League Council should assume the task of development with the assistance of foreign specialists, working in co-opera-tion with the Emperor's Government. The report that this commission of advisers should report to the League once a year, the whole position to be reviewed at tho end of five years. Britain and France have undertaken to facilitate a territorial adjustment between Italy and Abyssinia by sacrificing country to the Emperor in the region of the Somali coast. They add that they are also ready to recognise Italy's special interest in Abyssinia's economic development. The proposals are designed to meet all reasonable Italian claims for economic opportunity in Abyssinia and for guarantees of security of Italian colonies and of foreigners. The British delegates are said to be satisfied that there is nothing in the proposals that conflicts with the basic principle of the integral maintenance of Abyssinia's independence. The Geneva correspondent of "The Times" says some days are expected to elapse before the replies of the Italian and Abyssinian Governments to the proposals of the Committee of Five are received. Britain is opposed to unnecessary delay, but is in favour of giving the* Italians ample time in which to consider this last chance of a peaceful and advantageous settlement.

It will not be surprising if tlie Italians eventually reject the proposals, says the correspondent, but they may accept them at present as a basis for discussion, hoping, during the period of negotiations, to find some joint in the armour of those who now arc standing so firmly against their policy.

WAR PROBLEMS. DIRECTION IN ITALY. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 19. The Italian Government has issued a decree to appoint a committee of 10 to supervise and deal with problems arising between belligerents and neutrals. This committee will revise the normal peacetime legislation on this subject and draw up disciplinary measures. The commission, of which Signor Mussolini will be appointed president, also with four jurists, includes representatives of Cabinet, the Supreme War Council, Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force, and the commander of the Fascist militia.

DOMINION VIEWS. LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter ) WELLINGTON, this day. Further comment on New Zealand s position as a member of the League of Nations, with reference to the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia, was made by the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, in reply to a deputation from the New Zealand branch of the League of Nations Union. The deputation was introduced by Sir James Allen, M.L.U The viewpoint of tlie deputation was expressed by the Rev. F. 11. Wilkinson, president of the union, who said it was hoped that a peaceful solution of the Italo-Abyssinian problem might yet be found. Members of the union believed it was the duty of New Zealand as a signatory to the Covenant to co-operate in exhausting every means of maintaining peace. However, it was also believed that as a last resort it might be necessary for the Dominion to co-operate in terms of the Covenant in collective action at the dictation of the League. Mr Forbes said he was glad to hear an expression of support of the Government's attitude. There was at present a severe testing period for the League but it was good to know that the nations which had given their adherence to the Covenant were standing by the/r obligations. Great Britain had been largely responsible for initiating pcacef in the present situation. All the world hoped her efforts would bo successful and that members of the League would not be called oil to take any drastic action.