THE NINE-POWER TREATY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21538, 9 January 1932, Page 8

THE NINE-POWER TREATY.

The Dominion of New Zealand has a direct interest in the latest development in the Manchurian situation —in the steps taken by the United States oh behalf of other signatories as well as on her own behalf to invoke the NinePower Pact. By its representative, Sir John Salmond,, at the Washington Conference in 1922, the Dominion became a signatory of the Treaty. The preamble of the Treaty recites that the contracting Powers are desirous of adopting " a policy designed to stabilise conditions in the Far East, to safeguard the rights and interests of China, and to promote intercourse between - China and the other.-: Powers upon the basis of equality of opportunity.” To this end the Powers other than China agreed in the first article “ (1) to respect the sovereignty, the independence, and the territorial and administrative integrity of China; (2) to provide the fullest and most unembarrassed opportunity to China to develop and maintain for herself an effective and stable Government; (3) to use their influence for the purpose of effectually establishing and maintaining the principle of equal opportunity for the commerce and industry of all nations throughout the territory of China; (4) to refrain from taking advantage of conditions in China in order to seek special rights or privileges which would abridge the rights of subjects or citizens of friendly States and from countenancing action inimical to the security of such States.” There are other articles in the Treaty framed in the sense of that which we have quoted and directed to secure that there shall be no enjoyment by any of the contracting Powers of exclusive privileges in China. The applicability of the Treaty to the situation that has arisen in Manchuria does not seem to be very questionable. But, if it be assumed that the action taken by Japan is inconsistent with the obligations into which she entered as a party to the Nine-Power Treaty, the question emerges as to the effect of the invocation of the Pact against her. It is provided in the Treaty itself that whenever a situation arises which, in the opinion of any one of the contracting Powers, involves the application of the stipulations of the present Treaty, and renders desirable discussion of such application, “there shall be frank and full communication, between the contracting Powers concerned.” That does not, on the face of it, hold out very much promise that redress can, or will, be exacted from Japan if the recent action of that Power constitutes, in fact, an infringement of the terms of the Treaty. But in diplomatic circles “ sweeping ” and “unmistakable” are expressions applied to the form of pressure that is being exerted on Japan. And no doubt the moral effect of a remonstrance on the part of the Powers that were associated with Japan in the execution of the Treaty cannot be regarded as negligible.

Mails from Australia The postal authorities advise that the steamer Kartigi, which is due at Wellington on Tuesday from Sydney, is bringing five bags of Australian mail for Dunedin. The mail is expected to reach' the local Post Office next Wednesday afternoon. Secondary and Technical Schools Under an Order-in-Council published in the Gazette last night, the regulations relating to combined secondary and technical schools are amended (says a Press Association telegram) to enable the inclusion of the New Plymouth, Nelson, and Napier combined schools. It is also provided that in every combined school there shall be not more than one full-time assistant for every 28 pupils on the rolls. The salaries of instructors and the tuition fees are also fixed. A further Order-in-Council gives details of the new examination for the admission of teachers to training colleges and also details. of. the examination and the of teachers*-