LEAGUE ASSEMBLY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 289, 6 September 1928, Page 11

LEAGUE ASSEMBLY

FIRST COUNT OUT IN ITS HISTORY INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS IN PROMISING STATE SPAIN’S RETURN TO THE FOLD Tlie League Assembly suffered a count out for the first time in its history, as no names had been handed in to begin the debate on the annual report. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian PtCog assn.—United Service.) Geneva, September 4. For the first time in its history, the League Assembly this afternoon suffered a count out. The session was called for 4 o’clock, when there was a full muster. The formalities were quickly disposed of, and tlie President, amidst a general titter, announced that not a single name had been handed in to begin the debate on the Council and Secretariat’s huge annual report of 75 closely-printed pages. He, therefore, had no choice but to adjourn till 10.30 a.rn. to-morrow. If no names arc submitted overnight there will no no debate at all. This is tlie first time the Assembly has been smitten with dumbness, in contrast with the usual volubility. The trouble at the moment appears to .be to get someone to begin the talking. All the big men feel that international affairs are in such a promising state, to wit, the pact and also the Naval Agreement, that it is not the time for a tribunal of fireworks. They prefer to shape things quietly in the committee rooms.

Probably as much for his own personal qualities and endeavours on behalf of the League as in recognition of (•pain’s return to the fold, Senor Quinones de Leon had the heartiest welcome. The Australian Press correspondent understands that Spain will be the first choice in the election to a non-permanent seat on the Council under the re-eligibility rule, and as an encouragement to China’s search for a constitutional Government she is fairly sure of the second seat, the other going to Venezuela, INTOXICATED MOTORDRIVER PRIEST BEFORE THE COURT SUPPRESSION OF NAME REFUSED Dominion Special Service. Auckland, September 5. A charge of being in a state of intoxication while iu charge of a motorcar in Grey’s Avenue on Tuesday afternoon was admitted by a Roman Catholic priest, Father Joseph Duffy, aged 41, of Papakura (Mr. Sullivan), in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. Sub-Inspector McCarthy said that a City Council traffic inspector was sitting in his office in the Town Hall, when, looking through a window, he saw a motor-car travelling down Grey’s Avenue in a zig-zag course. The driver apparently intended to turn round when he reached the foot of the avenue, but he ran the car on to the footpath and crashed into a tree. An endeavour was then made to back the car on to the road, and an accident with a passing vehicle was narrowly averted. The traffic inspector made his way to the scene, and on arriving found that accused, who was the driver, was not in a proper state to be in charge of a car. With the assistance of another man from the traffic office the inspector took accused to the police station, where he was examined by a doctor. In the opinion of the doctor accused had had too much to drink. SubInspector McCarthy added there were no serious features about the case. It appeared as though accused had had some trouble with his gears in trying to turn the car. “Although the facts as presented to me and as indicated by the doctor show that if I contested the matter I would probably succeed, I want to take a wider view of this matter and avoid occupying time in bringing forward statements that would have a damaging effect.” said Mr. Sullivan. “There is no doubt accused had trouble with the gears of his car. The car he was driving was one in which the changing of gears is carried out in a manner similar to a truck; it is very difficult. The doctor does not say accused was drunk. Accused had lunched in town and as lie was suffering from an attack of influenza he had one drink after lunch. No doubt in his weak state it affected him. It is not a serious case, and I ask the Court to view it in the light of the doctor’s certificate.” Counsel applied for suppression of accused’s name. that the effect of its publication would be more far-reaching and serious than he could indicate. “I am not going to make any class distinction,” the Magistrate said. “Next week I may have another man before me in a different walk of life for some offence, and I may have to refuse a similar request. The doctor’s certificate says accused had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol, although he could not certify he was drunk. You could not have a lighter certificate than that if yon tried. Of course, the punishment of publicity is great, especially for a man of professional standing. This is not a bad case, but lam not going to make any order for the suppression of the name. Nobody who is going to drive a car should have any liquor at all. There is always a danger. It is unfortunate that this man had influenza, as it probably upset him.” A fine of £5 was imposed, the Magistrate adding that the case was the least serious of its kind he had been called upon to deal with. In consequence he was imposing the lightest fine that bad been inflicted by him for such an offence.