LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 16 September 1925, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

DEBATE ON SECURITY.

SPEAKERS’ VARYING VIEWS,

OTHER MATTERS DISCUSSED,

«Y CABLE—PBESu ABSOCIATION-COPYRIGHT GENEVA, Sept. 14.' Around the five words “arbitration, security, disarmament, protocol, pact, every speech from the tribune at, the League of Nations Assembly continues to be woven, and geographical considerations determine around which colours they are applied most strongly. Thus little Uruguay, in a world apart, plumps for compulsory arbitration, which is embodied in her own constitution, while Hungary, intimately concerned with the question of Eastern guarantees, fastens her hope on security as the first step to a further instalment of disarmament. , A speech by the veteran, Count Apponyi, of forty-five minutes unaided by notes, was the feature of to-day’s plenary session. Count Apponyi received an ovation, perhaps as much in respect for his eighty-four years and note’worthy effort as for his plea that the League, without waiting for a security agreement, should take up without delay a preliminary investigation, which was indispensible to any approach to tlig. subject of disarmament. The Count submitted an amendment to that effect on the Spanish motion, which made the achievement of some measure of security a condition precedent to a disarmament conference. Count Apponyi urged that while the gaps in national viewpoints were being bridged, the League, for the sake of the world’s confidence in its works .and aims, should prepare the w'ay for disarmament. There will be five speakers tomorrow, who will probably end the general debate. So far no Dominion representative has handed in his name to occupy the tribune. It is another striking example of the Empire’s one voice. Mr. Austen Chamberlain (British Minister for Foreign Affairs) spoke the Empire’s mind in his advocacy of regional preference and general agreements.

It will be remembered that during last year’s debate thje issue was raised as to whether migration was a domestic matter. The question will not crop up this session, but there are persistent soundings going on in the direction of international control and the standardisation of migration, evidently preparatory to a full discussion on the subject at the League’s labour conference in 1926. This undercurrent has been seized in Australian circles. It is apparent not only in the hotel smoke-rooms; but in the assembly lobbies, though the source cannot be determined.

There is frequent mention of Italy’s problem in finding an outlet for hor yearly surplus of 750,000 people. It may bo wrong to attach significance to several interviews between the Italian and Japanese visitors, but there is strong ground for the belief that the opportunity is being used for quiet propaganda, which is regarded as haying an important bearing on the Empire's attitude towards a bond of an all embracing character. Mr. Drake Brockman is devoting his attention to tracing the source of the propaganda, and will report thereon when he returns to Australia.

It is rumoured to-night that Turkey’s latest move in the Mosul situation is to suggest a joint treaty between Britain, Persia, Turkey and Iraq in order to give the last-named stability without Turkey’s help. In any case the proposal will be too late, because wellformed quarters assert that the League Council’s Committee will report wholly in favour of Britain.