EUROPE’S RECONSTRUCTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1922, Page 5

EUROPE’S RECONSTRUCTION

3 ——————— —— i HAGUE CONFERENCE OPENED. ; OVERSEAS’ REPRESENTATION I ■ ' ' 1 (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) THE HAGUE, June 15. The Hague Conference has opened. Without ceremonial, except that the judges were wearing black robes and velvet collars, the International Court . of Justice also opened for. it firsst business session. Sil’ E. Bollock, British AttorneyGeneral, addressed the Court as a preliminary to England’s appearance in the Court to state her views of Labour cases. The Dominions and British delegates discussed the Empire’s policy at a conference of the Dominion representatives and emphasised the point that they must refer to their Governments the question of their representation on tjie Final Commission, which the Russians will attend. Sir Francis Bell declared that New Zealand will not be represented lyMr Kernsbeek (Belgium) will preside over the Allied meetings until the Russians arrive. FRENCH APPREHENSIONS PARIS, June 15. The French delegates to The Hague Conference have not yet departed. “L’Echo de Paris” asserts that President Poincare and M. Jasper (Belgian Foreign Minister) conferred in regard to The Hague Conference, and agreed that the Franco-Belgian views in respect to private property in Russia remain unchanged since the Genoa

meeting. “Le Matin’s” Hague correspondent declares that the British have come to an agreement with the Soviet beforehand" The policy of Britain is to create an outlet for cheap German goods in Russia, because these German goods are now competing with British goods in India, South Africa, and the Far East. The correspondent adds that a treaty with Germany will now be drawn up by Lord d’Abernon (British Ambassador at Berlin). This treaty will keep Germany quiet in certain markets, in return for British help in getting markets in Russia. “Le Matin” says that therefore it will be better for France to abstain from attending The Hague Conference rather than to°go there without a programme.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. LONDON, June 16. A Hague communique states: M. Van Karnebeck. has been elected i 10sident of the Conference- During tiic course of his address, he said thau the Genoa. Conference opened the way for collective deliberations by wiucli disturbed Europe might-be well advised and Russia might profit, ror ihe orderly study of the problem to uc faced, the delegates needed an atnwol liere of tranquility and well regulated publicity, one free from impatient uigin.'S from outside, which often hampeie.l°iiite national efforts and goodwill by eniaiping incidents into obstacles. When The Conference opened, journalists invaded the Palace vestibule, but the Dutch Foreign Minister asked them to leave the building, stating that tney could not be allowed to attend _ the Conference, as it was not public. Ihereupon the French journalists, on behalf of their comrades, asked permission to remain in the. vestibule. The Minister refused. However, the journalists did remain in occupation until the session ended-