LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 17536, 16 December 1920, Page 9

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

ARMAMENTS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. GENEVA, December 14. In tho Assembly Mr G. N. Barnes, discussing the Armaments Commission’s report, said he could have wished that there was a little less prudence and a little more pluck imported into it. Ho asked for a clearer-cut declaration as to what reduction meant. After discussion the report was adopted.—A. and N.Z. Cable. MANDATES:-A VEXED QUESTION. LONDON, December 14. The Australian . Press Association Geneva correspondent says: “There is much reticence over the mandates. I ! understand the difficulty existing over i France’s mandates has now 1 been adjusted, i Senator Millen strenuously opposed Japan’s insistence upon ah open door in regard to mandates, adhering unflinchingly to his claim that this directly conflicted -with tbs promise given at Paris. In this ho had the support of the British delegation. Senator Millen evaded questioning on the amount of success attained ; but nevertheless he gave tho impression that the' situation favored Australia’s aspirations. Senator Millen has realised | that more is to be gained by negotiation than by dramatic speeches in the Assembly.. Sir Janies Allen was less reserved, and expressed the opinion that the manj date would prove quite satisfactory, implying that objections had been overcome.’’ OUR INDIAN EMPIRE. LONDON, December 14. I Prince Ranjitsinhji has written to SenaI tor Millen and other overseas delegations ■highly appreciating the spirit of good fellowship displayed towards India, and inviting the overseas members to visit India, when he and other ruling princes will accord them a hearty welcome.—A. and N.Z. Cable. OPIUM AND WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC. LABOR ORGANISATION, INDIA CLAIMS REPRESENTATION. GENEVA, December 15. (Received December 16, at 9.5 a.m.) The committee presented its report on the opium and white slave traffic and on India s claim to representation on the Labor Organisation as a great industrial country. The committee recommended acquiescence, with the desire of the Netherlands that the League should assume the duties hitherto carried out by her under the Opium Convention; also that the signatories to the Convention and nonmembers of th'e League should be invited to appoint assessors on the League’s Advisory Committee, with a special invitation to America.

The committee unanimously recommended that the League should undertake the obligations with respect to the white slave traffic, but decided that the Assembly was not competent to decide India’s claim. The Council alone was competent to decide as to which are the principal industrial Powers. The opium and white slave traffic reports were adopted, and the Assembly authorised the secretariat to send questions to all the Governments asking what legislative measures would he taken to' combat the traffic. An interesting feature of the debate was a speech in English by Miss Forchhimmer, a Danish delegate, the first woman to address the Assembly, appealing to every Government to legislate for the suppres- , sion _of the traffic, which was a blot on civilisation.—A. and N.Z.' Cable. ARGENTINA’S POSITION EXPLAINED. BUENOS AYRES, December 14.,; (Received December 16, at 9.20 a.ra.) ! The Foreign Office declares that the Argentine Government will not give any notification of withdrawal from the League oi Nations, because it does not consider that Argentina has ever been a member of the League. The Foreign Office points out that a series of diplomatic documents recently published showed that Argentina had accepted the formation of the League in principle. Argentina sent delegates for the purpose of, assisting the organisation of the League, but adhesion was conditional. The question of tho ratificatior of Argentina’s participation would have had to be submitted to Congress had the League been formed in a manner acceptable to Argentina. The withdrawal of tho delegates ends the matter so far as the present League is concerned.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SENATOR MILLEN’S GOOD WORK. LONDON, December 15. (Received December 16, at 10 a.m.) Mr Percy Hunter, Federal immigration ageiu, says that Senator Millen’s remarkable light at the League of Nations Congress in the cause of economy is recognised by all the Powers at Genova. He practical y dominated the Finance Commission’s sittings _ for a fortnight. Senator Milieu ™ s . generally that the extravagant ideas-of the establishment should be remodelled. Though he was naturally faced with considerable opposition from "vested interests he succeeded finally in securing sufficient support to -ensure that future budgets sha.lhe rigorously economised. senator Milieu made a great fio-ht against, the establishment of feveral nfw costiy independent commissions, .and the Assembly adopted his view, altering the constitution ot these bodies from a percmommßtss. 1S *° tem advisory Senator Millen’s efforts will result in the saving of hundreds of thousands of pounds jearly without impairing the efficiency oi the scheme to prevent war It will a so save\Australia a very big sum in contributions to the League. Australia £ chaiged on the same rate as France and Britain. Although the relief will not be immediate, it wul be ultimately attained and made retrospective.—A. and N Z Oable. " ‘ AUSTRIA’S ADMISSION. LONDON, December 15. (Received December 16, at 11.25 a.m.) Austria has been admitted to Lie League. Senator Milieu alone declined to vote miner way.—‘ Arens.’ USEFUL PRESENTS FOR GENTLEMEN. Frequently one hears the remark made by the ladies when shopping; “It is £0 difficult to know what to give him. What do you think?"’ Let us suggest the following and help in'the selection; POCKET WALLETS, CARD CASES LETTER CASES, PURSES, TOBACCO POUCHES, COLLAR BOXES DRESSING CASES, KIT BAGS, SAFETY RAZORS—Autostrop, Gillette SET OF BRUSHES, in Leather Case, ATTACHE WRITING CASES. We hold stocks of above in various grades, the PRICES being governed bv the QUALITY. J L WILKIE AND CO., LTD., PRINCES STREET, DUNEDIN.