LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19282, 20 September 1924, Page 9

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

PEACE BY ARBITRATION,

QUESTION OF PROCEDURE,

RECOGNITION OF PERMANENT COURT.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright,

GENEVA, September 18. It transpires that the basis of the proposed pact which the sub-committee is discussing will be that all the signatories shall undertake to recognise tho jurisdiction ,of the Court of International Justice, and submit all disputes, the settlement of which is not provided for under Articles XII, XIII. and XV of the Covenant, to the Council of the League, which shall give its decisions by a majority vote; but the procedure in regard to arbitration has still to be settled, and posisbly, in view of the objections raised by one delegation, a separate body instead of the Council of the League may be established as a court of arbitration. Tho question of partial agreements, or so-called regional agreements, between various States apparently led to consider able discussion yesterday . Finally a French proposal was agreed to—namely, that so long as the Covenant is not universal partial agreements should continue to exist, though coming within the scope of the general pact for mutual assistance, provided that they are registered and published by the League. Tho Budget Committee of the League, by 16 votes to 15, rejected an Italian proposal to increase the vote for health organisation by 200,000 franca. Britain, South Africa, New Zealand, and India voted against the motion, and Australia and Ireland for it. The Canadian delegate was absent. A proposal by Brazil and Portugal, however, to make the increase 130,000 francs was adopted by 22 votes to 11. The present arrangements for an international exchange of health officers will be maintained. The committee voted 200,000 franca for the settlement of refugees, with a rider added by Sir Henry Strakosch (South Africa) that appropriation must disappear by 1926.—Reuter.

RELIEF OP ARMENIANS.

CONTINUED FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

LONDON, September 18. (Received Sept. 19, at 5.5 p.m.) The Geneva correspondent of the Australian and New Zealand Press Association states that the Fifth Committee is dealing with relief work among the Armenian women and children refugees in the Near East. Mrs Allan (Australia) supported a suggestion for a renewal of the relief for at least another year. There were still 100,000 persons to be cared for, she said, and it would be deplorable to abandon the work not only for £he sake of the unfortunate sufferers but for the prestige of the League. Australian women felt so strongly last year when discontinuance was suggested that they immediately opened subscriptions. M. Sarraut (Franco) thanked Mrs Allan, and urged an expression of appreciation of the Australian women’s generosity. The committee agreed to recommend the continuance of relief for another year.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

INTELLECTUAL CO-OPERATION. GENEVA, September 18. (Received Sept. 19, at 5.5 p.m.) The committee on Intellectual Co-opera-tion is considering a French proposal for the creation of a new Institute in Paris for the co-ordination of scientific investigation throughout the world, he publication of books, the establishment of research laboratories, and the exchange of scientific material and historical research. M. B&nrgeois (France) declared that if there were no intellectual co-operation there would bo no League of Nations. In furtherance of the project the French Minister of Education (M. Albert) visited Geneva during the week-end, and was most actively engaged in propaganda.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

ABOLITION OF PASSPORTS SUGGESTED. GENEVA, September 18. (Received Sept. 19, at 5.5 p.m.) When the Fifth Committee was discus sing the report of the Committee on Communications and Transport, Mr M. Charlton (Australia) brought up the need for abolishing passports, the discomforts arising from which did not tend to improve international relations. Sir Llewellyn Smith (Britain) said he sympathised with Mr Charlton’s complaint. The commission will consider the suggestion next year.—A. and N.Z. Cable.