N.Z. SANCTIONS AGAINST ITALY

Northern Advocate, 24 October 1935, Page 7

N.Z. SANCTIONS AGAINST ITALY

DOMINION TO ACT

BILL COMES BEFORE HOUSE STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER [From Our Parliamentary Special.! WELLINGTON, This Day. npHE part that New Zealand would play concerning the enforcing of sanctions by the League of Nations against Italy, was fully discussed oy members in the House of Representatives yesterday when the League of Nations Sanctions (Enforcement in New Zealand) Rill, was introduced by Governor-General's message. The Bill gives the Government power to provide for the application of sanctions by Order-in-Council.

The Prime Minister, Mr Forbes, at the commencement of the debate, released a file- containing detailed summaries of the actions against Italy pro.posed by the League of Nations.

Later, when the Bill was brought down, Mr Forbes said that he hoped that the action by the New Zealand Government would hot result in any false suggestion fha* war would follow.

Mr Forbes impressed upon members the necessity ■of • conferring on the Government power to enforce such drastic measures as sanctioned by Or-der-in-Council

Mr i? crbes explained that the Sanctions Bill had no specific reference to the present dispute between Italy and Abyssinia.

In General Form.

“It is in general form,” said the Prime Minister, “and is intended to be capable of application by Order-in-Council in any circumstances whlcn may necessitate the action provided for by Section 16 of the Covenant of the League of Nations. New Zealand is a member of the League and consequently bound by the ..Covenant, and the Council of the League has, with the exception. of Italy, decided that Italy has resorted to war in violation of her commitments.

“This resolution has been approved by 53 nations, members of the League, who have also- confirmed the recommendations of that Council that the breach of the Covenant should be brought to an end. The assembly, accordingly, set up a Sanctions Co-ordi-nation Committee, which has now recommended certain steps to be taken by all members of the League,

In Direct Touch by Wireless.

"These proposals and a great deal of additional matter, all of which I propose to hand to the Press, have been received by wireless direct from the League wireless, station at Geneva. New Zealand, the most distant of the League members, is thus in direct touch with Geneva. Difficulties in reception in the early stages have now been overcome by the efforts of our Post and Telegraph Department, and the . Government is in a position to follow the developments in Ge neva day by day. The Prime Minister then summarised the proposals relating to arms .restrictions, financial sanctions and trade sanctions relating to both imports and exports. Collaboration With Opposition, "It is our intention, when this legislation has been passed,” said Mr Forbes, “to apply, by Order-in-Couh-cil,. these proposals, and any others that may be made by the Leaguenothing more and nothing less. I should say that in considering the steps we are taking, the Government has had the benefit of the collaboration and assistance of the Leaders pi the Opposition. I think it is safe for me to say that in this matter there is no question of party politics and no difference of opinion among the various parties in the House. The position is so clear that a difference of opinion could hardly arise, “The Treaty of Versailles, which contains the Covenant of the League, was voluntarily accepted by every member of the League. In New Zealand the intention of His Majesty the King to ratify this Treaty in respect of New Zealand was endorsed without division, by a resolution of both Houses of Parliament. There was no difference of opinion then, as the desirability of taking what appeared to be an effective step towards the object which all well-disposed people had in view, and stlil most desired —the complete abolition of war as a means of settling international disputes. Undertook Obligations. “By our signature and ratification of this treaty, we voluntarily and definitely undertook distinct obligations. In particular, we undertook that when any member of the League had resorted to war, in disregard of its commitments, certain action would follow. The position has now arisen, and the only question before us at the moment is the simple one of whether we intend to honour our . bond. In a British community there can be only one answer to that question. “Our decision must necessarily be arrived at with regard to a feeling of sympathy on the one hand, or of condemnation on the other. It is our bounden duty to co-operate with the League, which recognises the sanctity of international obligations, with the British Government and. with other Governments of the Empire.

“The great and powerful nation against which sanctions are about to be applied is ah old and traditional friend of the British Empire. Italy was one of our allies during the Great War, and, on many occasions, before and since, Italy has collaborated with Great Britain,' and the Empire, to the advantage of the world. Our action and the action of the League are not inspired by any feeling of hostility to Italy. It is animated solely by our intention to honour our pledged word,, and to play our small part in the common attempt to establish peace and order.

Little Material Bearing. “It cannot be suggested, of course, that New Zealand’s action is likely to have any material bearing on the efficacy or otherwise of the League’s action, but we should be failing in our duty to the League, and betraying the pact of honour that is tradi-

ticwial in our. people, should we fail now to undertake our share of’the collective responsibility to maintain the solemn Covenant. ... Throughout the whole course of the unfortunate controversy between Italy and Abyssinia, the great weight of the British Government has been invariably thrown in the scales oh the side of peace.' British policy arid New Zealand policy have no Other aim in this matter than the preservation of peace, and the prevention of war. We hope and, believe that the steps how being taken 'will be successful. .If so, the collective system, on which the hopes of the world have centred, may yet prove to' be an. effective barrier against war- . ~ “If it falls in such a case as this it # will be plain that rib material: help can be rendered this way by the Parliamentary system, and members of Parliament arid the people of-this country need be in little doubt as to what the result, is likely to be. The world will be thrown back into the welter of doubt, , uncertainty and threatening gesture that existed before 1914. The Great War will have been fought in vain, and the millions who perished for the ideals of peace will have died in vain. ■ •

“Every nation, including.. our own, must turn to rearmament- as the only means of protection against organised aggression. . ■

“The financial burden will be crushing, and the Ultimate result cannot be doubted. War, in a more horrible state than war. has yet been, will become a probability, and not a remote possibility, and, in place" “Of earnest efforts to apply reason, law and order, • in international relations, nations will again be forced back in the old rule, that he shall take who has, the power, arid he shall keep who dan. There will be no check to the bully and his actions. ' , ■

“That way lies international- intrigue, hatred, chaos, the death of countless millions; and. the probable destruction of our civilisation.

“By the path the League has taken there is at least the prospect, if it is no more, that our children ; may be able to lead their lives free from horrors of war. 1 ... ,

■ War is Improbable.

“Two points only I wish to mention. First,, that the sanctions recommended to the members of the League are economic sanctions only.' . I trust that, these steps will not lead to any false suggestion that in the end' they will result in war. That seems to»me, with the ample and confidential explanations at my disposal, tb be highly improbable, and I hope'that members of the country will carefully note this" statement. “Finally, anticipating the probable and natural objection against according, to any Government the power to enforce such drastic measures by Order-in-Councii; I think the leader of the Opposition will agree with me that there is no other effective way of making the necessary provision. The House will be rising' very shortly, and it is quite impossible to attempt to meet what may be altering requirements by means Of legislation. It is only by Orders-in-Council ..that the necessary flexibility may be obtained.

“In order to provide the greatest possible safeguard, it will be observed that any Orders-in-Council made under this provision are to be laid before Parliament, and are to lapse unless confirmed by Parliament,” the Prime Minister concluded. “I . ask members and the country generally to recognise that this may well prove a turning point in history. The future of civilisation, is at stake, and is well worth while making sacrifices for its security.”

What the Bill Does

The Bill, which was granted urgently, will confer on the GovernorGeneral in Council power to make regulations to enable the Dominion, as an original member of the League, to fulfil the obligations taken by the terms of Article 16 of the Covenant. The bill recites the full text of Article 16, and provides that the act shall come into force oh a date appointed by the Governor-General by a proclamation, approved in the Executive Council and published in the Gazette. The Governor-General may, in like manner, suspend or revise its operations as the exigency of international affairs may render desirable or expedient. Regulations may be made under the act, provided that none shall be construed as to require any person to undergo compulsory training or to serve in New Zealand or overseas, or as prohibiting the fair and reasonable publication of any expression of opinion as to the expediency of any regulation.

The liability for breach of regulations under the bill provides for a penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment, or a fine not exceeding £IOO.

All regulations made under the authority of the bill must be laid before Parliament within 28 days if Parliament is in session, and, if not, within 28 days of the beginning of next session. Regulations laid before Parliament will expire after two months, . unless they afe expressly validated or confirmed by acts. Without amendment the bill was put through all stages and passed.