LEAGUE ASSEMBLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22211, 11 September 1935, Page 13

LEAGUE ASSEMBLY

IMPORTANT TASK A DISTRACTED WORLD PRESERVATION OF PEACE By Telegraph—Press Associstion—Copyright British Wireless BUGBY, Sept. 9 The 16th annual assembly of the League of Nations met this morning under the presidency of Senor Guinazu (Argentina). The meeting opened with a review by the president, in the course of which he said: " The world is distracted with anxiety. This anxiety, among other forms, takes that of the measures of rearmament and the prolonging of the economic crisis which weighs so heavily upon the peoples of the earth. " The League, however, is not going to give up its efforts to help the world on to economic recovery. In spite of every difficulty the League will continue its heavy task. It has been in existence now more than 15 years, and in that short time it has demonstrated by its very existence that peace is indivisible and that to preserve the Covenant it is necessary, in order to achieve international peace and security, to prescribe open, just and honourable relations between the nations. " It must be so more than ever at a time like the present. When the sky on<se more is overcast and the world is in deep anxiety it turns its eyes toward Geneva. We must be firm and resolved to do all that lies in our power to render the League fully effective." It seems probable that the greater part of to-day's session and that of to-morrow will be devoted to routine matters. These will include the election of vice-presidents, the setting up of committees to deal with legal, technical, budgetary, social and political questions, the election of three new permanent members of the Council, and a new member of the Permanent Court of International Justice. Other matters may also dome before the Assembly before the general discussion of the report of the Secretariat is begun probably on Wednesday. Reports from Geneva state that the British Foreign Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, may make his opening speech in this debate, and he is expected to raise the question of the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia. On arrival at Geneva Sir Samuel was met by Mr. Anthony Eden, whom he informed that the line of action he had pursued so far in the dispute had the full support of the Prime Minister and the whole of the British Cabinet.

DOMINION INTERESTS SIR J. PARR'S ACTIVITIES POST FOR MR. DE VALERA (Received September 10. 5.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 10 The special correspondent of the Associated Press at Geneva states that the High Commissioner for New Zealand, Sir James Parr, represents the Dominion on five committees, with Mr. R. M. Campbell, economic adviser to the New Zealand Government in London, and Mr. C. A. Knowles, as substitute delegates. Mr. de Yalera has been elected president of the Assembly's political commission.

COMMITTEE OF FIVE SESSIONS RESUMED CONSIDERATION OF DISPUTE British Wireless RUGBY, Sept. 9 During the week-end the work of the committee of five appointed to investigate the conflict between Italy and Abyssinia was suspended,- but a further meeting of the committee is being held this afternoon to study various documents bearing on the question, especially the Italian memorandum. At Saturday's session the committee heard an exhaustive account of the abortive Paris conversations from Mr. Eden and M. Laval, and it was to permit of more time for study by other members of the committee of the proposals made during those conversation!! that the adjournment until this afternoon was decided upon. When the committee met again this; afternoon they began a further examination of the Italian memorandum. !; was reported that the Abyssinian reply to Italv's charges hnd not yet been communicated to the committee.

SUPPORT OF BRITAIN r EFFORTS TO PREVENT WAR DOMINION LOYALTY URGED [BY TELEGRAPH SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Tuesday The hope that New Zealand would support without question any action taken by Great Britain for the solution of the difficulties existing between Italy and Abyssinia was expressed by Mr. J. Hargest (Government —Invercargill) during the Address-in-Reply debate in the House of Representatives to-night. "1 believe this country is entirely behind Mr. Anthony Eden and his colleagues and those nations trying to prevent war," said Mr. Hargest. "Our prayers are behind the League of Nations, which for 18 years has preserved peace and has protected us from serious war. It did not prevent the actions of one of the yellow however, and it may not be strong enough to protect us from Italy to-day. "I am sure those who are endeavouring to prevent war have our warmest support. We hope they may bo successfid and probably they will be, but if any aggressive act takes place that involves us in a world war, I think our attitude should be one of unquestioning loyalty to Great Britain. We are here because of the might of the British Empire and we hold equal partnership with the other countries of the Empire without being able to do anything to maintain our place. "We are here at the goodwill of the rest of the Empire, particularly Great Britain, and it is my. belief that we should be unquestionably behind the advisers of the King in whatever action they may take with the object of maintaining world peace." Mr. Hargest was warmly applauded as he resumed his seat.