MAINTENANCE OF PEACE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 254, 22 September 1930, Page 7

MAINTENANCE OF PEACE.

MOVE TO CHECK AGGRESSIONC.

NEW WORLD CONVENTION

GENEVA, Sept. 20. Mr J. H. Scullin, Prime Minister of Australia, delivered a speech before the Disarmament Committee to-day. Mr Scullin reaffirmed the faith of the Government and the people of Australia in the aims and achievements of the League of Nations. “Many, believe that the League, is not making sufficient progress toward disarmament,” said Mr Scullin. “But we must give credit for the success achieved. While I realise immense difficulties, both technical and political, facing the proposed Disarmament Conference, we should be able to look forward to greater progress. The costs of armaments are an overheavy load for people who are burdened already with excessive taxation to meet the colossal cost of war. Unless civilisation is to stand still, we must take fuller advantage of the means available of settling international differences by law instead of by war which is a barbarous method.” Mr Scullin’s speech was made in the course of a debate on the proposed convention for financially aiding any country which was the victim of aggression. Mr Scullin declared that the Australian Government strongly supported the principles of the proposed convention, subject to two conditions —the provisions should not operate until a general Disarmament Treaty was signed; the liability of the guarantors should be limited to the share assigned to them in the draft convention.

Mr Scullin, in passing, joined in an appeal to delegates to accept compromises in the wording of the convention in order to obtain general ratification.