DISARMAMENT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 234, 15 September 1922, Page 5

DISARMAMENT.

ML ST BE GENERAL. FOR SECURITY’ OF SMALL NATIONS. Geneva, Sept. 13. Lord Robert Cecil has informed the Press that Mr Sheldon’s motion was based on a misconception. There was nothing to prevent South American republics or any other group of small nations from forming a pact for the reduction of armaments and guaranteeing each other security. All the resolution declared was that such compacts, to' be successful, must be general. It is obvious that if small nations disarmed i and other nations did not the small nations would bo at the mercy of the big nations. Therefore, it was necessary that the Great Powers should be among the first to disarm. —(A. and N.Z.) LEAGUE’S EXPENSES. RE ADJUSTMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS. Geneva, Sept. 13. The first year’s contributions to the League of Nation’s expenses were based on those of the Postal Union, but as that allocation put Australia, Britain and France in the same category, it was obviously inequitable. The second year’s basis was inadequate to meet the League’s financial obligations. The committe on the allocation of expenses han been struggling unsuccessfully over since to find a basic principle upon which to fix contributions. It has now adopted an arbitrary basis, having due regard to each country’s resources and conditions. Fifteen States have had their contributions increased, including Britain and Australia. the latter from £15,000 to £25,000. Minor States are unaffected, including New’ Zealand, pays £lO,OOO. Canada £34,000, and South Africa £15.000. Britain is the biggest contributor, £92,000. France, which was formerly in the same category as Britain', now pays £78,000, having been allowed reductions by reasons of others were allowed similar reductions. For instance. Austria pays only £lOOO, and twelve other countries have practically defaulted, mostly in the Balkans. Those recommendations are subject to . approval by the Assembly.—(A. and N.Z.)