LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19959, 30 May 1928, Page 11

LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON HAGUE " OPTIONAL" CLAUSE. POSITION OF DOMINION, [BY TELEGRAIH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. J WELLINGTON. Tueedey. The annual conference of the Dominion Council of the League of Nations Union of New Zealand opened to-day. Dr. A. G. B. Fisher, professor of economics at Otago University, presided. Delegates from all parts of New Zealand to thn number of about 70 attended. The annual report showed a membership of about 2340. Dr. Fisher said the outstanding events in connection with the League of Nations during the year had been the optional arbitration clauses, regarding the Hague Court of Justice. He considered it a pity that Britain and the Dominions had both held back from signing. Each waited for a lead from the other. With regard to Samoa, it was difficult, said Dr. Fisher, to ascertain all the facts. He thought, without going into details of this dispute, that the Government would have been better advised to have been more generous with its publicity in this matter. Considerable dissension resulted regarding the British Government's refusal to sign the optional clause of the Permanent Court of International Justice at the Hague. Mr. Airey (Christchurch), who introduced the subject, explained that this optional clause was a pledge by a country to submit certain legal disputes to t Court of Justice. Although some 20 nat'ons had signed the clause, Britain had refused to do so, her reason being that it was difficult to get the Dominions to agree. The New Zealand Government so far had not expressed any opinion. Eventually the following resolution was carried: " That in view of the opinion expressed by the British Foreign Minister, Sir Austen Chamberlain, in September, 1927, that Britain was prevented from signing the so-called optional clause, this conference urges upon the ISew Zealand Government the desirability of representing to the British Government that Britain need not hesitate to promise unmeasured adherence to the optional clause on account of fear that New Zealand would thereby be committed to a policy of which she disapproves. This conference also urges the New Zealand Government to make a definite statement as to its policy." The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—Patron, Sir James Allen; president, Dr. A. G. B. Fisher; hon. vice-presidents, the Prime Minister, Mr. J. G. Coates, Hons. W. D. Stewart, F. J. Rolleston; Massrs. H. E. Holland, M.P., F. Milner, Rev. W. *Chatterton, Mrs. K. M. Evans, Rev. J. Gibb, Rev. J. Aitkin, Rev. J. K. Archer, Messrs. H. Vaider, E. G. Cutten, S.M.,- Sir Thomas Mackenzie, Mr. T. Bulford, Dr. Betehaw, Rev. P. Hughes, Mrs. Fraer; hon. secretary, Mrs. Leech. The hon. treasurer (Mr. J. Greenfield) was unable to offer himself for re-election owing to pressure of work, and the matter was left to the Dominion executive; honorary auditors, Messrs. Barr, Hercus and Company. With the exception of Mrs. Hanan, who is in England, all the executive were reelected. Mrs. Patterson was elected to replace Mrs. Hanan.