EUROPEAN FEDERATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20668, 13 September 1930, Page 11

EUROPEAN FEDERATION.

M. BRJAND'S PROPOSAL.

APPEAL TO THE LEAGUE.

WORLD PEACE THE OBJECTIVE,

WORK. FOR DISARMAMENT

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.

GENEVA. Sept. 11

At this morning's sitting of the Assembly of the League of Nations the French Foreign Minister, M. Briand, addressed Iho gathering on his European Federation scliemo. M. Briand said all the countries which had replied to his questionnaire on the subject were favourable to the principle of the proposed Federation. It was logical that the countries which had suffered most from (ho Great War should work together to prevent another war. No conclusion, so far, had been reached except that some sort of Federation was neces-

sa ry. There were numerous obstacles in the way of disarmament, but many of them had been surmounted already. So far as Franco was concerned it would not have been possible to reduce her armaments in the way she had done if the League had not paved tlio way to security.

Franco-Italian Naval Parleys,

M. Briand said he had discussed his scheme with leading Americans who had siiid it would be an insult to their intelligence to suggest that the proposed Federation was aimed against the United States. On the contrary, they had said, it would tend to strengthen the consumptive capacity of Europe, which was America's largest customer. Cheers greeted M. Briand's announcement that definite progress had been made toward solving the disagreement between France and Italy on the naval question. He recalled the work of the London Naval Conference and said that as Foreign Minister he was in touch with neighbouring friendly nations and hoped an accord would be reached which would complete the London agreements.

Striking an optimistic noto M. Briand declared that the League was increasing in authority among the nations of the world. It was a barrier against war. He realised that there were obstacles in the way of his plan for a European Federation, but with the cordial co-operation of all nations these would ho surmounted.

Britain Favours Collaboration

The British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Arthur Henderson, said the closest collaboration by European Governments was vitally important to European peace. The British Government had stated its opinion in reply to M. Briand's questionnaire arid had expressed its great sympathy with the proposal. Whatever might develop from the discussion of the scheme the British Government hoped it would he carried into effect in collaboration with the League, that it would be consistent with the. international obligations of membership of the. League and would help forward the League's disarmament policy.

Of all measures for security disarmament was the most important, said Mr. Henderson, and he trusted that further progress would bo made this year. The authors of the covenant of tho League never believed disarmament could be achieved if national armaments remained unrestricted.

Strong Plea for Disarmament. Tho .British Government heartily supported the majority report of the committee on the reorganisation of the League secretariat, said Mr. Henderson, and hoped it would he unanimously atlopted. He also hoped that the optional clause of the Statute of the International Court of Justice would be universally adopted, because he regarded it as the first step toward a settlement of all questions hv peaceable methods. Britain and the Dominions already had ratified tlie optional clause. One of the chief tasks of the Imperial Conference would be to consider what further contribution the various members of the British Empire could make to the cause of disarmament and world peace. Mr. Henderson's message comprised one of the strongest British pleas for real progress toward disarmament ever heard at Geneva.

Sir Thomas Wilford, High Commissioner for Now Zealand, was elected to the committee which is supervising the agenda. He was also appointed to six other committees, namely: (1) Committee on Constitutional Questions; (2) Technical and Economic Committee; (3) Disarmament Committco; (4) finance and Budget Committee; (5) Health and Social Committee.