LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18066, 5 April 1919, Page 9

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

LABOUR CONVENTION. CONSTITUTION OUTLINED. A DISAPPOINTING BODY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, April 2. The Labour Convention comprises a preamble of 41 Articles. Tho governing body consists of twelve Government representatives, six each representing the employers and workmen. No high contracting party with its dominions and colonies can nominate more than one member to the governing body. Each nation pays the travelling and subsistence expenses of its members, but the League will bear' the cost of meeting in conference. Tho governing body of each country must accept tho Convention within twelve months of the conclusion of the Conference. The British dominions and India possess the same rights and obligations as if they were separate contracting partios. Tho Italian delegation abstained from voting on the article providing for special consideration for a Federal Stato, because it deprived tho Conference of adequate powerThere is genera* disappointment with the Convention. Beyond the value derivable from the annual conferences it is singularly ineffective. Tho first meeting in Washington will deal with tho question of an eight hours’ day and the proposals, regarding unemployment and the working conditions of women and childron made by the Berne Convention. CRITICISM BY MR HUGHES. NOT ACCEPTABLE TO COLONIAL WORKERS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received April 4, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 2. Mr Hughes is not convinced of the practicability of the Labour Convention. Without radical alteration to its machinery he considers that it is unworkable, and that the method of its constitution is unlikely to commend it to colonial w’orkers- lie says it seoms unlikely that workers wj.il view favourably Government representation on conferences, hut while the Convention mokes it necessary for States to submit recommendations to their Legislatures, State representation is essential. Again, the fact that Japan, with her cheap labour, refuses to accept the Convention, at any rate for a period of years, raises a situation that workers in other lands can hardly subscribe to. However, tho Convention is likely to bo thoroughly discussed and modified before tin? Peace Conference adopts it, and criticism may perhaps be premature.

' INCLUSION IN PEACE TREATY. LABOUR’S - REQUEST. LONDON, April 3. The trades unions and Labour Party at a joint conference carried a resolution that tho League of Nations ought to form part of the Peace Treaty. ALLOTMENT OF MANDATES. THE CASE OF 'TURKEY. NEW YORK, April 2. The Constantinople correspondent of tho “ New York Herald ” says that influential Ottomans are desirous of a speedy American mandatory o\er Tuikey, which is now politically, financially and commercially bankrupt. The Turks are willing to place themselves unreservcdlv in American hands rather than in thoTiands of European Powers, who have conflicting interests. - ADHESION OF SPAIN. (Received April 4, 10 p.m.) PARIS, April 3. Tho Spanish Government has informed President Wilson of its adhesion to the League of Nations as far as essential principles are concerned.