CONTROL OF MANDATES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 8 March 1927, Page 9

CONTROL OF MANDATES

HEARING PETITIONS ALTERATION OF PROCEDURE. PROPOSAL OBJECTED TO. BY CABLE—PRRSS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT. Received 12.5 p.m. to-day. GENEVA, March 7. In connection with the mandated residents’ petitions, the Commonwealth has sent a length -memorandum to the Council of the League of Nations stating that Australia, is unaware that the system, of forwarding petitions with the mandatory’s observations is in any way ineffective, nor has it obstructed the petitioners from fully and frankly presenting their case,’ nor would” the proposal bring up material facts which, cannot be freely communicated in writing. Furthermore, if the petitioners attend personally the commission could not reach a decision without the attendance of the mandatory s representative, which would involve heavy expense with no corresponding advantage. _ . • . Other mandatories lfave replied similarly, emphasising that the proposed' .system would open the way to controversy and would convert the commission into, a court of law inconsistent with and weakening the very-mature of the mandatory system. It would encourage intrigues on the part of those desirous more of promoting disorder than of remedying defects.