THE LEAGUE

Grey River Argus, 20 December 1920, Page 3

THE LEAGUE

THE MANDATES

(A] and N.Z. Cable Association.)

GENEVA December 17. The League Council has adopted the mandates in a form satisfactory to Australia.

BIG POWERS BOSSING STILL,

{Becd. December 19, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 17. Tho Assembly considered the Commission on Mandates' Teport, which strongly complained that the Council was not giving it any opportunity to see the mandates, and Avas keeping them confidential to the last moment. The terms of the mandates were littlo more than a repetition of the conditions pontained in the League Covenant.

The Commission felt a mandatory should not use its position to increase its military strength. Secondly, the Commission holds that a mandatory should not use its power to exploit, for itself, the natural resources in the mandated territories. Lord Cecil said he Avas disappointed tho Council was not giving draft mandates to the Commission for discussion. Mr. Doherty (Canada) said that he was sorry that so inadequate an opportunity has been afforded the* League Assembly to consider this important subject. Mr. Wellington Eoo( China) said Chitta reserved the right to bring the question of Shantung before a future Assembly. The representatives of Albania, Bulgaria and\ Finland took their seats. Count Mensdorff, representing Austria; also took hi* scat without ceremony. Mr. Balfour admitted that neither the Commission nor the Assembly had any opportunity of considering the mandates, and the Council took full responsibility. He could not K approve of the report's observations on an increase of military strength, ot on the exploitation o* resources Avithout due reward.