LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18526, 30 October 1925, Page 16

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

». THE MANDATE SYSTEM. A general meeting of the Christ church Branc.li of the League of Nations Union was held on "Wednesday, Mr W. A. Whitlock presiding over a* good attendance. Mr 11. M. Laing spoke of recent activities of the Council of the League, with special reference to developments jof the past week or two. The nations I were on their trial as to their honesty towards Germany, he said, and unless faith were kept, German distrust would be increased, and the nationalist and militarist parties in that country would l>e strengthened. . Disarmament, or a disarmament conference, should follow on the signing of the Pact. Mr W. G. T. a Airey gave an address 011 "The Mandate System," and said that the British Empire had made two important contributions to the organisation of the world: England had worked out in experience with lier overseas Dominions the whole idea of the League of Nations; and in respect of that part of her Dominions referred i to as "the Empire in trust"—the countries whose inhabitants were backward, coloured peoples—she had provided the groundwork of the mandate system. That system had been incorporated in the covenant of the League partly on the suggestion of General Smuts, who had seen it in actual operation in parts of Africa. The system as adopted by the League provided for the safeguarding and fair treatment of the people in the mandated territories, and'for trade access to them by all members of tho League, thus reducing the possibilities of friction. At the close of his address Mr Airey .was accorded a vote of thanks.