COST AT GENEVA.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20587, 1 July 1932, Page 15

COST AT GENEVA.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS BUDGET. (FROM OUft OWN COBKEBI'OKDENT.) LONDON. May 20. From tlio Geneva correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" there comes today the accompanying statement: — The thorny question of tho expenditure of the League of Nations was disccussed at tho Council this afternoon. Captain Anthony Eden, British Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, presented tho British memorandum. This asked that an independent committee of five be appointed to report on the question of effecting reductions In the 1033 budget of tho League. It is suggested that the economies bo effected by means of: (1) Curtailment of activities; (2) Curtailment of Staff; and (3) Reduction of salaries. The Secretary-General, Sir Eric Druminond, in a statement, said that he was not opposed to tho appointment of the committee. Such an enquiry, composed of competent and impartial members, would help to kill ill-founded criticism of League finance which is pervalent in many countries. On the question of salaries, the Sec-retary-General pointed out that his secretariat was an international organisation. Tho scale of salaries adopted by the Assembly was based on those paid to civil servants in certain national administrations. There was an additional amount for expatriation. Comparison w r ould, therefore, more properly bis made with tho salaries and allowances granted to officers of the diplomatic service. Tho president, of the Financial Control Commission of the League made a long statement, stressing the careful way in which the -League expenditure is controlled. He emphasised that the Assembly is responsible for any increase in the budget. Tho discussion was adjourned,