"BRITAIN PLACED IN AWKWARD POSITION”

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3614, 15 September 1927, Page 7

"BRITAIN PLACED IN AWKWARD POSITION”

MacDonald Criticises Chamberlains Speech

STATEMENTS SHOWN TO BE UNTRUE

[By Electric Cable-Copyright.]

(Aust. end N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received Wednesday, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 13. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, In a letter to the “ Daily Herald,” says: “ The debates at Geneva cause great concern. I doubt if ever in our time Britain has been put in a more awkward position as a Continental Power.

“ M. Dandurand’s speech also shows that Sir Austen Chamberlain's statements are untrue. Delegates from the Dominions in 1924 unanimously accepted the idea.of the Protocol. We have now to find how far tho Dominions can be accommodated to a common Empire policy which can be fitted in with tho Protocol idea. “ I am in favour of a commission ci tho League being appointed to consider the draft of the 1924 treaty. Meantime, wo should secure a consultation with tho Dominions, even if necessary by a special session of the Imperial Conference to discuss the obligations which the Protocol imposes on the Empire and to consider the optional clause setting up tho Hague Court.” LEAGUE’S 1928 BUDGET. INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR. (Received Wednesday, 10.5 pm.) , LONDON, Sept. 14. Tho Genova correspondent of the 1“ Times” states that the League’s Budget for 1928 is £987,000, an increase of 1.4 per cent, over 1927 expenses. The Genova Secretariat and offices in the various capitals absorb £5152,000, the International Labour office £330,000; Hague Court of Justice, £86,000; and buildings at Genova, £54,000. The cost of tfhe Assembly in 1928 is estimated at £11,600, Council meetings at £3OOO, and commissions and conferences £75,000.