LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 235, 18 September 1922, Page 4

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

ASTOUNDING PROPOSALS. TO FLOOD DOMINIONS WITH RUSSIAN REFUGEES. Geneva, Sept. 17. Mr. Mark Sheldon (Australia) conducted a persistent and ultimately successful opposition to a well-organised attempt on the part of the Social Committee of the League to dump Russian refugees in tens of thousands in overseas dominions. The proposal came up in the form of four resolutions by the representative of Czechoslovakia. (1) Requesting all Governments who are members of the League to accord support to Dr. Nansen, who has been officiating as High Commissioner on behalf of the League, in succouring 500,000 Russians. (2) Requesting Governments to place labour exchanges at the disposal of Russian refugees for the purpose of employment, with full liberty to travel within their territories. (3) To provide refugees with identity certificates to enable them to dispense with passports. (4) Urging Governments to come to the relief of the over-crowded European labour markets by relaxing immigration restrictions in favour of Russians and making concrete offers of employment. Dr. Nansen supported the proposals in a strong speech, in which he pointed out that 1,500,000 Russian refugees, mostly belonging to the richest and best educated classes, were now penniless and workless scattered throughout Europe. In some countries they and their women aud children were foodless and destitute and were becoming a menace to the public health of Europe. Their only hope lay in trans-* portation to healthier conditions in new countries. He appealed to international charitable organisations for help for hundreds of thousands registered in Constantinople, Warsaw, Sofia. Belgrade, Paris and Berlin. t The committee was on the point of adopting the resolutions when Mr. Sheldon intervened. While not attempting to dictate to other countries, he said it was impossible for him, as Australia’s representative, to agree to resolutions two and fow. the former being contrary to Australia’s laws and the fourth impracticable owing to Australia’s distance from Europe. Australia was arranging for 100,000 British emigrants yearly, thereby relieving the British labour market to that extent. Furthermore, refugees were unlikely to become readily assimilated with Australian people. They were better fitted by language and racial characteristics to be assimilated in Europe. Mr. Sheldon urged that the report be referred back. Ultimately the sub-committee redrafted the recommendations, omitting the second and fourth resolutions. Dr. Nansen frankly acknowledged that the original proposals were not applicable in the dominions and agreed that Mr. Sheldon was perfectly justified iu his opposition.—(A. and N.Z.) INCREASED' MILITAR Y EXPENDITURE. Geneva, SeptiW® 15. The League ot Nations haMTsued a document showing that tM* nations increased army, swy and air force expenditure in the 1922 Budget compared with 1913;—Britain 19 per cent., India 14 per cent,, Australia 17, Canada 7, New Zealand 148 Japan 71. Belgium 82 Denmark 33, Spain 38 Holland 48, Sweden 20 The following reduced expenditure: —Roumania 23 per cent.. Italy 46, Brazil 45. France 7. Switzerland 39, Norway 14.—(A. and N.Z.) NEW MEMBERS. HUNGARY ADMITTED. Geneva, Sept. 15. Hungary has been admitted to the League of Nations unanimously.—(A. and N.Z.) IRELAND’S ENTRY INTO LEAGUE. (Received 18. 9.40 a.m.} London, Sept. 17. Michael Mac White, representative of the Irish Ministry at the Geneva Conference, has arrived in Dublin. He will present to Cabinet information regarding Ireland’s entry into the League. Mr. Gavan Duffy. ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, tabled a motion in Dail that application be made for admission.—(A. and N.Z.)