LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 73, 20 December 1920, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

THE MANDATES COMMISSION'S REPORT TO ASSEMBLY POSITION OF MANDATORY POWERS By Telcuraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. December 19, 5.5 p.m.) Geneva, December 18. The Assembly of the Leaguo of Nations yosterday considered the report of the Commission on Mandates, which strongly complained that the Council was not giving it an opportunity to see tho mandates and was keeping them confidential to the last moment. It was also stated that the terms of the mandates were little more than a repetition of tho conditions contained in thb ■ Covenant. The Commission felt that a mandatory should not use its position to increase its military strength, also that it should not use its power to exploit for itself the natural resources in mandated territories. 1 Lord Robert Cecil 6aid he was disappointed that the Council was not giving the draft mandates to the Commission for discussion. ' Mr. C. J. Dohefty (Canada) said he was s»rry that so inadequate an opportunity had been afforded the Assembly to consider this important subject. Mr. Wellington Xoo (China) reserved the right to bring the question of Shantung. before a future Assembly. Mr. Balfour admitted that neither tho Commission nor the Assembly had had an opportunity of considering the mandates, for which the Council took full responsibility. He could not approve the report's observations on the increase of military strength, or exploitation of resources without due reward.—Aua-N.Z; Cable Assn.' JAPANESE DECLARATION MANDATES IN PRESENT FORM. AGREED TO. - (Rcc. December 19, 5.5 p.m.) Geneva, December 17. The Japanese submitted a declaration relating to the mandates. They still have a firm conviction concerning their claim for equal opportunitias for trade and commerce, but, -with a spirit of conciliation and co-operation and a reluctanco to see the question unsettled any longer, they decided, to agree to tho issue of the mandates in the present form. However, they add that this deciilon should not be considered as an acquiescenco in discriminatory and disadvantageous treatment in mandated territories, nor have they discarded the rights and interests enjoyed by Japanese subjects.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . BUDGET~CONSIDERED CRITICISM OF OFFICIAL SALARIES. Geneva, Deoembor.l7. The report of tho Fourth Commission (on fihe Budget) was considered. Sir James Allen, speaking on ihe subject of the personnel of the secretariat, desired that officials Bhould not be appcinted for longer than live years. No ono could say Aether tho Leaguo would become permanent, though all hoped it would. It was thereforo undesirable to commit the members to long-dated official appointments. . Senator Millen said he thought Sir James Allen's .point would be covered by a proposal to appoint a committee to deal with the whole subject of tho personnel, and Sir James Allen accepted the sug-gestion.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. (Roc. December 19, 5.5 p.m.) v Geneva, December 18. The Assembly again considered the Budget. Sir' George Foster reported that Argentina, Salvador, and Paraguay had not paid their contribution. It was a primary obligation to pay allotmonts promptly. He admitted that the method of distribution was unfair; South Africa and others paid as much as Britain. A committee of fivo, in conjunction with tho Postal Union, should be appointed to draft a formula for equitable alloca-Sil-JameS Allen characterised the salary and allowances of the Secretary, JJlo,ftoo per annum, as altogether too high. He compared it with wfiat the Governor-Gen-erol of Now Zealand and tho Prime Minister received, *uid spoko ftlso of the expensive LnbouT organisation. The indian delegate that the salaries had been fixed at <1 lim© when people wero engaged upon the war, ami thought in millions. Mr. Balfour said that the attack on tho Secretary's salary called for a reply. He ventured to say that Sir James Allen's comparisons wero misleading and erroneous. No man went into politics as a monetary profession. A politician looked for fame. He stood in tho limelight and sought for-power. These were his reward. The Seoretary : General could not be measured by tho politicians standard or that of Civil Sernmts. 'Iho Poweis at Versailles had created the office and named Ilia pay? and it would be discreditable for the Assembly to go back upon-the arrangement thus made. Apart from this, lie was prepared to defend tho salary upon its merits. Tho head of a great organisation like the League should not be placed on a lower inane than an. Ambassador. _ , ~ 'After a spiritless debate jthe Budget T?as adopted.—Aust-N.Z. Cablo Assn. - NEW MEMBERS ATTACHMENT OP SMALL STATES. Gonova, September 17. After a strong appeal by the British I delegates, 'supported by M. Viviani (France), tho Assembly unanimously admitted Albania to membership. It refused to admit Azerbaijan, Lichtenstein, antl Ukrainia, but remitted to the committee on amendment of the Covenant the question ' of dovising a method for attaching to tho League States which are too small to become members. Aus.-N.Z. Ccble Assn. REPRESENTATIVES TAKE THEIR SEATS. (Rec. Decomber 19, 5.5 p.m.) Geneva, December 18. At tho meeting of tho Assembly of tho League of Nations yesterday. Count Mensidorff, representing Austria, took lus seat without ceremony. Tho ■ representatives of Albania, Bulgaria, nnd r'ninoo R ' so took their seats.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Afssu. TO SAVE_ARMENIA INTERNATIONAL EXPEDITION PROPOSED. ' . (Rec. December 19, 5.5 p.m.) Geneva, December 17; At the meeting of the Assembly, Mr. T. Jonescu, on behalf of Rumania, submitted a proposition for an, international expedition of 40,000 inter-Allied troops to save Armenia, tho expedition to he composed on a population basis. The President paid a tribute to flie proposal, but thought tt should be referred to a mission. Ultimately the Armenian Commission undertook to report on. the suggestion to-morrow.—Aus.N.Z. Cablo Assn. ASSEMBLY PROROGUED (Rec. December 19, 11. p.m.) Geneva, December 18. The Assembly- approved of the salary of tho President of tho International Court being fixed at 6000 Dutch florins. „ Tha President thanked the New Zealand Government for the help fiivan to Belgium and to the suffering cluldrcn ot Europe during the war. . After addresses by M. Hymans (Belgium) and M. Motta (Switzerland), tho Assembly was prorogued.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. *