LORDS DEBATE SIGNING OF LEAGUE’S COVENANT

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6899, 3 May 1929, Page 7

LORDS DEBATE SIGNING OF LEAGUE’S COVENANT

Time Not Opportune

U.S. TREATY SHOULD BE CONCLUDED FIRST

BRITAIN BUSIEST ARBITRATOR.

United Press Association—By Eleetrit Telegraph—Copyright. Received Thursday 7.30 p.m. LONDON, May 2.

In the House of Lords, Viscount Cecil moved that in the opinion of the House the time had arrived when the government should sign the optional clause of the League Covenant providing for the judicial settlement of international disputes. The Lord Chancellor said the government could not accept the motion. It was not a question of tho desirability of arbitration or the acceptance of tho international court at The Hague. It was a question whether it was expedient, in the interest of Britain and the Empire, to sign the clause now. He pointed out that in tho event of any dispute between Britain and a dominion or dominions, it would be most undesirable to go to the Court. The feeling of the Imperial conference of 1926 was opposed to this course, and it was decided not to take any action without further discussion. The Dominions at present were considering a new arbitration treaty with the United States. Both the Dominions, and Britain thought tho American' treaty ought to bo concluded before they signed the clause. Britain had more often resorted to League arbitration than any other country. International law was being amplified and codified, in the hope that the time would arrive when tho Empire would bo able to accept tho Court's compulsory jurisdiction, with or without reservations.

Lord Reading said the fact that 60 nations had agreed to the Kellogg pact was tho strongest argument in favour of the motion.

Lord Salisbury said the government had repeatedly affirmed the principle of arbitration as an alternative to war, but they should not be too precipitate and lose their heads. Lord Cecil insisted on a division, tho motion being negatived by 26 votos to 19.