TEST FOR LEAGUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22215, 16 September 1935, Page 9

TEST FOR LEAGUE

I ITS VITAL HOUR DOMINION'S ATTITUDE SIR J. PARR'S SPEECH SANCTITY OF COVENANT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September 15. 5.5 p.m.) GENEVA, Sept. 14 The High Commissioner for New Zealand, Sir James Parr, speaking in the League Assembly, said New Zealand accepted without reservation Sir Samuel Hoare's policy. Although New Zealand was farthest from the headquarters of the League, she yielded to none in her support of the Covenant and of collective security. Also, she valued as a pledge of safety the BriandKellogg Pact.

"To-day is the League's great testing time," said Sir James. "Now is its vital hour. If the League at present is inactive it must end its influence and authority. Perhaps we, remotest from Europe, are inclined to subject international organisations to a practical test and we expect results. But I am concerned lest disappointment of the world's expectations on this crucial occasion may have far-reaching and lasting evil consequences. "New Zealand is not directly interested in the Abyssinian dispute, although any people in whom the spirit of sportsmanship is present must feel that when the strength of the parties to a dispute is so disproportionate there is a call for moderation by the more powerful one. "Our material interests are not at stake, but we are tremendously concerned in the sanctity of agreements. If solemn pacts and covenants are broken up with impunity none, least of all small nations, are safe for a moment. Indeed, small nations would lose most if the principle of collective security were impaired. "Sir Samuel Hoare's declaration was explicit and admirable in all respects, and New Zealand unreservedly supports its policy and accepts its implications, always recognising that under the Covenant the responsibility is not on one but on all of us. The League has failed greatly on other occasions. It cannot afford to fail again."

N EVENT OF SANCTIONS

STATEMENT BY MR. FORBES PROCEDURE FOR CONSULTATION [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Sunday The assurance that Parliament will be consulted in the event of any critical international development arising from the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia has been repeated by the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes. He said yesterday that New Zealand was a signatory to the League Covenant and that the Government was in constant communication with the High Commissioner, Sir James Parr, who was the Dominion's delegate at Geneva, The Prime Minister did not expect that any decision would be required from the Dominion unless some definite action was proposed. In the event of the imposition of sanctions New Zealand would be consulted beforehand and its opinion ascertained.

ITALIAN DESTROYERS SINISTER OPERATIONS DODECANESE ISLANDS ATHENS, Sept. 13 Italy is very active in the Dodecanese Islands, south of Asia Minor, transporting troops, stores and aircraft. Destroyers are patrolling the islands, especially the small harbours and inlets. The destroyers are searching for fishing boats. Heavy coastal guns have been landed at Leros. SCOTTISH LABOUR ADHERENCE TO LEAGUE British "Wireless RUGBY, Sept. 13 At a meeting of the general council of the Scottish Trades Union Congress at Glasgow a resolution was passed declaring that "the authority of the League of Nations and the obligations of the Covenant should bo upheld by the British Government and by the peoplo of Scotland."

The resolution added that "any ac-

tion that would weaken the authority of the League would be a disastrous blow against the collective peace system, on which the security of the world depends."