PEACE WORK WILL NOT BE STOPPED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 261, 4 November 1935, Page 7

PEACE WORK WILL NOT BE STOPPED.

POWERS WILL ACT. Franco-British Assurances At Geneva. SIGNIFICANCE OF UNANIMITY. [British Official Wiretoss. (Received 2 p.m.) RUGBY, November 3. Both the French Prime Minister, M. Laval, and the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, referred in speeches at the meeting of the Co-ordination Committee to the search for a settlement of the ItaloEtliiopian war. M. Laval, having recalled that France liad on many occasions proclaimed before the League that it would remain loyal to the Covenant, said: "We must search as speedily as possible for a friendly settlement of the conflict."

Sir Samuel Hoare said that it was witli great regret that they were forced to tako the decision to apply sanctions but for those determined to uphold the principles of the Covenant no other course was possible. "On the one hand, as loyal members of tho League, we feel it our bounden duty to undertake the duty imposed upon us by the Covenant, and on the other hand wo are under a no , less insistent obligation to strive for a speedy and honourable settlement of the controversy." It was common talk that during* the last few days there had been conversations between Rome, Paris and London on the possibility of such a settlement. There was nothing mysterious or sinister about these discussions. "It is the duty of all of us," he said, to explore the road of peace. This is what we have been doing and shall continue to do. "Nothing is further from our minds than to make an agreement which is not acceptable to the League, Abyssinia and Italy. It is essential to act in the spirit of impartial justice." In a speech broadcast to British listeners before lie left Geneva, Sir Samuel Hoare said that it was a great achievement that 50 League States had promised support to League action and he congratulated them on the result. Speech after speech was made on Saturday afternoon at Geneva, he said, wishing these peace efforts every success. "There is no question of outgoing behind the back of the Council," ho added in conclusion.