MANDATES COMMISSION.

Northern Advocate, 24 July 1923, Page 5

MANDATES COMMISSION.

REPORTORIAL ORDER

NEW ZEALAND OBJECTION.

(Received 1.50 p.m.)

GENEVA, July 23

Tho Marquis Theadoli, in opening the third. session of the Mandates Commission, said he had observed, especially in a statment by Sir Francis 801 l (New Zealand) ccrtain apprehension and even displeasure in connection with the work of the Permanent Mandates Commission. Sir Francis Bell had objected to the fact that the Commission's report was addressed to the public and not to the Council of j the League of Nations. On this point he thought there was a misunderstanding which should be removed, but from which they might draw guidance for the future. There was no doubt that, being tinder the terms of the Covenant as advisory body to the Council, they had no other duty than to submit their observations to the Council on reports from the mandatory Powers. It would be regrettable that the Commission's inquiries, carried out in the spirit of goodwill and highest impartiality, should not be made known to the public. It would be desirable for the Commission to meet early enough to permit the Council to . consider its observations before communicating them to tho League Assembly. Satisfaction would thus be given both to th? legitimate. wishes of New Zealand and the general rlesire that the Assembly would be in possession of the Commission's reports arid observations in good time.—A. and N.Z.