LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21688, 5 July 1932, Page 8

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

A THORNY SUBJECT QUESTION OF COST. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, May 20. From the Geneva correspondent of the Daily Telegraph there comes to-day the accompanying statement; — The thorny question of the expenditure of the League of Nations was discussed at the Council this afternoon. Captain Anthony Eden, British Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, presented the British memorandum. This asked that an independent committee of five be appointed to report on the question of effecting reductions in the 1933 budget of the League. It is suggested that the economies be effected by means of (1) curtailment of activities; (2) curtailment of staff; and (3) reduction of salaries. The Secretary-general, Sir Eric Drummond, in a statement, said that he was not opposed to the appointment of the committee. Such an inquiry, composed of competent and impartial members, would help to kill ill-founded ! criticism of League finance, which is prevalent in many countries. On the quest'- of salaries, the Secretary-genera! ointed out that his secretariat was an international organisation. The scale of salaries adopted by the Assembly was based on those paid to civil servants in certain national administrations. There was an additional amount for expatriation. Comparison would, therefore, more properly be made with the salaries and allowances granted to officers of the diplomatic service. The president of the Financial Control Commission of the League made a • long statement, stressing the careful way in which League expenditure is controlled. He emphasised that the Assembly is responsible for any increase in the budget. The discussion was adjourned until to-day. .