LEAGUE SANCTIONS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 206, 28 May 1936, Page 10

LEAGUE SANCTIONS

Regulations Confirmed In Bill GREAT BRITAIN AND ITALY The League of Nations Sanctions Regulations Confirmation Bill was passed through all stages in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. The Bill, which validates and confirms regulations made under the authority of the League of Nations Sanctions Act, 1935, was passed without opposition, although the Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, emphasised his view that the Dominion should do all in its power to assist Great Britain in coming to a better understanding with Italy. The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, explained that the principal Act had been passed during the last session of Parliament, so that New Zealand might take concerted action with other members of the League of Nations in enforcing sanctions. There was any amount of room for a difference of opinion on the League. itself, but it did seem that if concerted action could not be taken we would not get very far toward peace. At the request of the Hon. A. Hamilton (Opposition, Wallace), the Prime Minister gave the detailed provisions of the Bin as it affects economic financial and military sanctions. He explained that New Zealand was prohibited under the regulations from remit- , ting loans to Italy or from issuing credits, the export of goods to Italy was prohibited and the export of arms, ammunition and other implements of war. The regulations also gave the Governor-General power by Order-in-Council to prohibit the export of general goods to Italy. The Bill covered everything, the Prime Minister said, for when a department of State closed the doors it was not likely to leave any windows open. Mr. Savage explained that unless the Bill was passed before. June 2 the regulations would automatically go out of existence. The whole situation would be reviewed on June 13 by the League, but no one knew what would happen then. In the meantime the House was asked to comply with the provisions of the original Bill so that the Dominion would be playing its part until the League could discuss the position. The Dominion would decide ultimately after June 16, when the League would have advised what was to be done.

"Great Britain stood up loyally to the spirit of its contract with the League and New Zealand did its part.” said Mr. Forbes, “but when the effects of sanctions on trade are considered one must have a feeling of disappointment. When we started on sanctions there was a general feeling that something would be accomplished. But as far as one can judge, I think it has been proved that little was done. Now it seems to me that the best thing that can be done is to aim at the restoration of good feeling between the British and the Italian Governments. I feel that this is the principal thing to do and the time has come when New Zealand should prosecute its operations with that aim. I do not think that anything helpful can be accomplished by continuing sanctions.” The Bill was read a second time on the voices, committed forthwith and passed through all stages without a division.