THE LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 307, 23 September 1926, Page 9

THE LEAGUE

MANDATES COMMISSION AND COUNCIL A MISCHIEVOUS MOTION By Telegraph.—press Association. COPY RIGHT. (Rec. September 22, 7.35 p.m.) Geneva, September 21. A mischievous motion by Dr. Nansen, virtually a retort to the Council’s opinion that the Mandates Commission’s questionnaire was inquisitorial, led to a brisk discussion by the Sixth Commission, and if carried it will make this commission a court of appeal from the Council’s decisions. During the debate representatives of the Mandates Commission criticised the Council, while Viscount Cecil, Mr. Latham (Australia), and the South African (Mr. Smits) defended the action of the Council in not acting on the questionnaire till the mandatory Governments had had full time to record their observations on it.

M. De Jouvenel, fresh from the worries of Syria, bluntly declared that the Mandates Commission’s policy had prolonged the war there by three months. Viscount Cecil appealed to the committee not to express an opinion, because no one was competent to do so till all the replies had been received from the mandatories. The debate was adjourned. DEBATE ON THE BUDGET (Rec. Sept. 22, 7.35 p.m.) Geneva, September 21. Addressing the Budget Commission, Sir Joseph Cook (Australia) protested against the plethora of proposed new money votes, and urged the necessity for closer control with a view to the stabilisation of the budget. The inclusion of such votes was an invitation to spend. He pointed out that the budget this year had jumped up another £40,000. Mr. Silton Young warmly supported Sir Joseph Cook’s action, and as a result the Supervisory Committee has undertaken to consider the tightening and systematising of control. , DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE SPAIN ACCEPTS INVITATION ■ San Sebastian, September 21. King Alfonso of Spain presided over a Cabinet meeting, at which Spain decided to accept the League’s invitation to a disarmament conference. It is pointed out that as America has also accepted, Spain’s attendance will not affect her resignation from the League—Sydney “Sun” Cable.