MANDATES COMMISSION BRITAIN'S REPLY TO QUESTIONNAIRE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 124, 22 November 1926, Page 9

MANDATES COMMISSION

BRITAIN'S REPLY TO QUESTIONNAIRE

PEINCIPLE BASED ON MISCONCEPTION.

(United Press Association.—Copyright.) (Kcceived 22nd November, noon.) LONDON, 21st November. The British Foreign, Office, after eonsuiting with Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, has prepared a lengthy reply to the Mandates Commission's famous questionnaire. The reply quotes the Hyman's report to the League Council in. 1920, declaring that the Council was not required, either itself or through the Mandates Commission, to examine every detail of administration, and it does not possess the means to discharge such an Herculean task. Britain adds that in view of these considerations the Empire's mandatory Governments feel that the Mandates' Commission's proposals are based on a misconception of both the Council's and the Commission's duties and responsibilities. The theory that tho petitioners should have the means of making their grievances known is correct, but the suggestion of the Advisory Commission to give the petitioners a hearing is an incorrect and. dangerous application of the theory, and the questionnaire is therefore unnecessary for the purpose for which the mandates were established, and are irreconcilable with the Hyman's principles, which the Council has already accepted. If the Commission ' requires further information regarding the petitions, Britain is confident that tho mandatory powers will be ready to reply fully to such inquiry. Britain repeats the assurance formerly given by the British representatives that they appreciate the care, attention, and devotion with which the Mandates Commission has discharged its task, and trusts that the Commission will not regard Britain's reply as unfriendly and depreciatory. v