ARMAMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 55, 2 September 1937, Page 10

ARMAMENTS

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

UNION CONFERENCE

Armaments were discussed by the New Zealand League of Nations Union conference today.-

The following remit was carried:— "Whereas articles i and 8 of the Covenant require the collective regulation of armaments, and whereas article 9 provides for a permanent commission to advise the council on military, naval, and air questions, the New Zealand League of' Nations Union urges the New Zealand Government to take the lead towards fulfilling the never-yet-fulfilled pledges of these articles by asking the council of the League to advise and direct it in regard to the scale' type,, and use of armaments necessary to fulfil its international obligations." The following remit provoked some discussion:—"That in order to strengthen the position of Great Britain as the chief supporter of the League, the New Zealand Government be urged to make an increased contribution to the cost of the Imperial Navy and Air Force." The Rev. F. J. Usher (Wellington) said that while they were strongly opposed/to wars of aggression, they were unwilling to change their security till the objects of the League were.attained. :' . . "<■ . Mr. T. Todd (Gisborne) said he was riot a pacifist, and he would fight against aggression. He considered that Britain had done more to cripple the League than any other country. She acted in such a way that she made everybody feel that she would wink at the attack on Abyssinia. Dr. A. G. Butchers (Wellington) and Mr. Usher took exception to Mr. Todd's references to Britain.

The remit was lost.