LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 September 1928, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

FIRMNESS IN SAMOA.

(Australian Press Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn.— Copyright.)

(Recd. Sept. 15, 10 a.m.) GENEVA, September 14. The Swiss, M. Rappard, who has been lengthily .associated with the Mandates Commission, expressed an important opinion on Samoa during the Sixth Committee’s discussion on tlhe Mandates report. He said that the unrest and resistance had put the'Government in the impossible position of being unable tq govern, thus General Ricjliardson, to whom he desired to pay tribute, tery properly asked for assistance in maintaining order. Two warships were sent, but were told not to use foice as it might create an unfortunate impression in the League. It was most unfortunate that respect for the League should prevent a Government maintaining order, and governing. II a Government’s ward was naughty, then it must be taught to obey. They desired it be known that the League in nowise wisihed to tie a Government’s hands in maintaining order.

Such a direct comment, not appearing ih the Mandate’s Commission’s report,' greatly strengthens the approval of General Richardson s Administration, and also more directly suggests there is no need for timidity in face of the agitation, lest tlie League be offended. The Spaniard, Senor Palacios, another member of the Mandates Commission, said that with regard to Samoa, the Commission was satisfied it was not only right, but was the duty of the mandatory Power to take the necessary steps to maintain order. Sir J. Parr warmly paid a tribute to the Mandates Commission’s work in bringing success to the new system of ruling captured territories. It was Clearly shown, regarding Samoa, that New Zealand, instead of being harsh and tyrannical, had been over easygoing, but a handful of agitators, who were not appreciative thereof, had made mischief. He welcomed. the speeches of Rappard and Palacios, because they would dispel the idea overprevalent round the Pacific, that a Mandatory power was preceded from being firm for fear of what people at Geneva might think. The technical organisations committee decided to recommend the league health organisations to collect information throughout the world regarding the abuse of alcohol. AU delegations supported the resolution on the express understanding that investigation be Confined to the health aspect, and did not refer to wine, beer or cider. The Indian and Japanese delegates paid a striking tribute to the League’s activities in East Malik (India). It was stated the deaths of children under one from malaria, ranged from three hundred in the thousand in Bengal to 823 in the thousand in Bombay. India was intensely interested therefore in the League’s investigations into malaria, cholera etc.

SIR J. PARR’S SPEECH. GENEVA, September 14. During the Commission s discussion on intellectual co-operation, Sir J. Parr said that ignorance and misunderstanding were the worst foes of the League’s work. Slowness in disarmament was due to the lack of will in the right direction, therefore intellectual co-operation should be a means of creating the essential preliminary moral disarmament. It might be advisable to send men of culture to the far flung Dominions, to get in touch with the people controlling the education of youth. The League s text books would also be useful. Mr. McLachlan (Australia) spoke similarly.