THE PEACE TREATY.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14206, 3 September 1919, Page 5

THE PEACE TREATY.

Ratified By Us. PARLIAMENT AND TREATY. (By Telegraph—“ Times” Special.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. The House specially devoted itself today to the discussion of a motion by the Premier that the Peace Treaty be ratified loy iNcw Zealand. He stressed the great importance of Nauru’s phosphatic deposits to New Zealand, which was entitled to 16 per cent, of the annual output for five years, when the supply should be readjusted according to the relative requirements of the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Replying to questions, he said that the of £600,000 as the cost of New Zealand’s share was a journalistic estimate. The value of the Island would be assessed, and New Zealand would pay 16 per cent. Samoa, under the mandate would be an integral part cf New Zealand for administration and legislation. Sir Joseph Ward expressed doubts about the wisdom of accepting tho Samoan mandate. He wished to have the right to review it in the light of mature reflection, for there was the serious difficulty of a European House legislating for coloured races. Messrs Holland and Fraser declared that it was the Labour Party’s intention to refuse to join in the unanimous acceptance of the Treaty. Mr T. M. Wilford commented on the fact that fio Labour speaker had commended any part of the Treaty, though had tho League of Nations existed in August, 1914, the great war would not have been possible. Without a division, the House ratified the Treaty.