LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18876, 31 May 1923, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

SOUTH A ERICA REMAINS LOYAL. i Preaa Association —By Tolo,-i«ph—Copyriga* CAPETOWN, May 30. (Received May 30, at 11.35 p.m.) Replying to a motion in the Senate by ex-President Reitz “ tliat tlho Union of South Africa give notice of its withdrawal from the League of Nations,” General Smuts said that the league had little to do with the Peace Treaty, nor was it formed to carry out the Treaty. Its purpose was to deal with international troubles which might arise in future. Replying to a question as to why the league had not interfered in the Ruhr situation, General Smuts said it had no locus standi. Tihe Ruhr was a matter for a council of the Powers. He had instructed the Union delegates at a recent conference to" see whether the question could not be dealt with, and on the initiative of his Government a resolution was passed that the league offer its services if invited. An invitation was not given, and nothing further was done. The Prime Minister said the Government had no intention of getting out of the league, as it believed the future peace of South Africa was bound up m it. The day might come when South Africa would want the help of the league, and, he added, “ for the sake of a yearly contribution, don’t let us cut off from the rest of the world, but lot us bear our share of the burden.” The motion was withdrawn.