LEAGUE TALK POSTPONED

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 27 September 1933, Page 9

LEAGUE TALK POSTPONED

GENERAL DEBATE OPENING LACK OF READY SPEAKERS. COUNCIL ELECTION QUERIES CHANCES OF AUSTRALIA (.United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) Received 2.40 p.m. to-day. ! - GENEVA, Sept. 26. Disarmariient is the sole topic of discussion during comings and goings all day of the delegations to the League of Nat ions Assembly.' The outlook apparently is' improving, "to war els tile convention, though caution still is exerThis afternoon’s assembly,was postponed, it is believed owing to fears of the raising of the Jewish question and that it might result in the departure of' the Germans. Decisions taken to-day mean that three vacancies on the council will first be filled on October 2, leaving the question of the enlargement of the council till later. Already it is taken for granted that Argentina will be represeted on Monday and elected to the South American yacancy. The surprise election of Mr te Water yesterday as president and its possible repercussion in the council nelections has been a general topic in the corridors to-day. It is now admitted that the surprise decision yesterday was engineered by the Norwegian, Mr Hambro. who disowns any intention of prejudicing Australia’s chances. On the contrary he declared that yesterday’s supporters of Mr to Water will equally suppoi-t Australia. Nevertheless the Australian Press Associotion learns that the League officials intimated to both the British ana Australian delegations it would he advisable to get- .busy and obtain promises -of the necessary number of votes. Britain already is exercising pressure in this direction. Consequently there iS still confidence in League and British circles that Australia will succeed the Irish Free State as the holder of a three-year seat on the council. The Australian Press Association says the' postponement of the opening, of the general debate of the Assembly until to-morrow was merely due to lack of speakers ready to take the rostrum and set the ball rolling. As has happened several times before, the dele-ga-tions are holding back nnt-il someone intimates willingness to take the seat. . ~ . A decision affecting- Australia s council candidature was taken to-day by the general committee. This was a recommendation that the Assembly hold an election on the normal day, next Monday, and which those well informed state will strengthen Australia’s chances. There has been an attempt by the small powers who, under the grouping system, are unable to obtain a council seat, to postpone the hvhole elections until both the Assembly and the Council tackle, the question a,s to whether there should not be an extra seat provided, which would give the non-grouped powers a chance of representation.