THE SANCTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22710, 24 October 1935, Page 9

THE SANCTIONS

COLLECTIVE ACTION SUPPORT FOR LEAGUE NEW ZEALAND'S OBLIGATIONS UNANIMITY IN PARLIAMENT (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 23. Authority for making regulations to enable the Dominion, as an original member of the League of Nations, to fulfil the obligations undertaken by it in terms of article 16 of the Covenant is contained in the League of Nations Sanctions (Enforcement in New Zealand) Bill, which was introduced by Governor-General's Message and put through all its stages and passed in the House of Representatives to-day. The Bill recites the full text of article 16, and provides that the Act shall come into force on a date appointed by the Governor-General by proclamation approved in the Executive Council, and published in the Gazette. The Governor-General-in-Council may, in like manner, suspend or revive its operation as the exigencies of international affairs may render desirable or expedient. Regulations may be made under the Act provided that none shall be construed to authorise regulations requiring any person to undergo compulsory training to serve in New Zealand or overseas, or prohibiting a fair and reasonable publication of any expression of opinion as to the expediency of any regulation. .Liability for a breach of the regulations under the Bill provides for a penalty of 12 months' imprisonment or_ a fine not exceeding £IOO. All regulations made under the authority of the Bill must be laid before Parliament within 28 days if Parliament is in session, and if not within 28 days of the beginning of the next session. The regulations laid before Parliament will expire after two months unless they are expressly validated or confirmed by the Act. SECOND READING OF BILL Moving the second reading of the Bill, the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) expressed the hope that the Government's action would not lead to any false suggestions that war would result in the end. He also explained the necessity of conferring on the Government power to enforce such drastic measures by Order-in-Council. "The Bill has no specific reference to the present dispute between Italy and Abyssinia," the Prime Minister said. "It is in a general form, and ia intended .to be capable of application by Order-in-Council in any circumstances which may necessitate the action provided for by section 16 of the Covenant of the League of Nations. New Zealand is a member of the League, and is, consequently, bound by the Covenant and the Council of the League has, with the exception of Italy, decided that Italy has resorted to war in violation of her commitments. This resolution has been approved by 53 nations —members of the League—which have also confirmed the recommendation of the Council that the breach of the Covenant should be brought to an end. The Assembly accordingly set up a Sanctions Co-ordination Committee, which has now recommended certain steps to be taken by all members of the League. These proposals and a great deal of additional matter, all of which I propose to hand to the press, have been received bv wireless direct from the League wireless station. Radio Nations, at Geneva, and New Zealand, the most distant of the League members, is thus in direct touch with Geneva. Difficulties in reception in the early stages have now been overcome by the efforts of our Post and Telegraph Department, and the Government is in a position to follow developments in Geneva day "by day." THE SANCTIONS COMMITTEE Mr Forbes referred to the methods adopted by the Sanctions Committep, in ensuring rapid and effective application of the sanctions. The committee had called attention to the fact that the League members were under a duty to take the necessary steps to enable them to carry out these obligations with all requisite rapidity.

ARMS RESTRICTION The Prime Minister summarised the proposals dealing with arms restriction, financial (sanctions, and trade sanctions relating both to imports and exports. " It is our intention, when this legislation has been passed," Mr Forbes continued, "to apply by Order-in-Council these proposals and any others that may be made by the League—nothing more and nothing less. I should say that, in considering the steps we are taking, the Government has had the benefit of the collaboration and assistance of the Leader of the Opposition, and,l think it is safe for me to say that in this matter there is no question of party politics and no difference of opinion among the various parties in the House. The position is so clear that difference of opinion could scarcely arise. The Treaty of Versailles, which contains the Covenant of the League, was voluntarily accepted by every member of the League. In New Zealand the intention of his Majesty the King to ratify this treaty in respect of New Zealand was endorsed without division by a resehition of both Houses of Parliament. There was no difference of opinion then as to the desirability of taking what appeared to be an effective step towards the object which all well disposed people had in view, and still most earnestly desire —the complete abolition of war as a means of settling.international disputes. By our signature end ratification of this treaty we voluntarily and definitely undertook distinct obligations. In particular, we undertook that"when any member of the League had resorted to war in disregard of its commitments certain action would follow. That position has now arisen, and the only ouestion before us at the moment is a simple one —whether we intend to honour our bond. In a British community there can be only one answer to that question. Our decision must necessarily be arrived at without regard to feelings of sympathy on the one hand or of condemnation on the other. It is our bounden duty to co-oper-ate with the Lsugue, which recognises the sanctity of international obligation with the British Government and with other Government of the Empire. A TRADITIONAL FRIEND " The great and powerful nation against v-hich the sanctions are about to be applied is an old and traditional friend of the British Empire. Italy was one of our Allies during the Great War, and on msny occasions before and since Italy has collaborated with Great Britain and the Empire to the advantage of the world. Our action and the action of the League r.re not inspired by any feeling of hostility to Itsly. It is animated solely by our intention to honour our pledged word and to play our small part in the common attempt to establish peace and order. It c.innot be suggested, of course, that New Zealand's action is likely to have any material bearing on the efficacy or otherwise of the League's action, but we should be failine in our duty to the League and betraying the sense of honour that is traditional in our people should we fail row to undertake our share of the collective responsibility to maintain the solemn covenant. PRESERVATION OF PEACE "Throughout the whole course of the unfortunate controversy between Italy and Abyssinia the great weight of the British Government has been invariably thrown on the scales on the side of peace. British policy and New Zealand policy have no other aim in this matter than the preservation of peace and the prevention of war. We hope and believe that the steps now being taken will be successful. If so. the collective peace system on which the hopes of the world have centred mav yet prove to be an effective barrier against war. If it fails in such a case as this it will be plain that no material help can be rendered in this way by the Geneva system, and members of Parliament and the people of this country need be in little doubt as to what

the result is likely to be. The world will be thrown back into all the welter of doubt, uncertainty, and threatening gesture that existed before 1914. The Great War will have been fought in vain, and the millions who perished for the ideal of peace will have died in vain. Every nation, including our own, must turn to rearmament as the only means of protection against organised aggression. I lie financial burden will be crushing and the ultimate result cannot be doubted. War in a more horrible shape than a war has yet been will become a probability and not a remote possibility, and in place of an earnest effort to apply reason, law and order in international relations, nations will again be forced back on the old rule —that he shall take who has power, and he shall keep who can. There will be no check to the bully and his actions. That way lies international intrigue, hatred, chaos, the death of countless millions and the probable destruction of our civilisation. By the path the League has taken there is at least a prospect, if it is no more, that our children may be able to lead their lives free from the horrors of war. IMPORTANT POINTS "Two points only I wish to mention, first, that the sanctions recommended to members of the League are economic sanctions only. I trust that these steps will not lead to any false suggestion that in the end they will result in war. lhat seems to me, with the ample and confidential information at my disposal, to be highly improbable, and I bope that members and the country will carefully note this statement, finally anticipating the probable and natural objection against according to any Government power to enforce such drastic measures by Order-in-Council. I think the Leader of the Opposition, Mr M. J. Savage, will agree with me that there is no other effective way of making the necessary provision. The House will be rising very shortly, and it is quite impossible to attempt to meet what may be altering requirements by means of legislation. It is only by Orders-in-Council that the necessary flexibility may be obtained, and in order to provide the greatest possible safeguard. It will be observed that any Orders-in-Council made under this provisiou are to be laid before Parliament and are to lapse unless confirmed by Parliament. 1 ask hon. members and the country generally to recognise that thi6 mav well prove the turning point in history. The future of civilisation is at stake, and it is well worth while making sacrifices for its security." SUMMARIES OF PROPOSALS The Prime Minister handed to the press to-day the file containing detailed summaries of the proposed sanctions, together with certain resolutions of the Sanctions Committee and communications from the secretary-general of the League and the president of the committee. One of these communications draws attention to the desire expressed that each Government should submit to the committee the text of any proclamations and other instruments formulating or enforcing measures proposed by the com- j mittee. The report of the Legal Sub-committee | on the questions put to it on October 17 by the Sanctions Committee is also made public, and the replies received j by the League from the following Govern- ; ments are given in detail: —Great Brit- j ain, Cuba, Greece, Poland, France, Colombia, Finland, Latvia, and Soviet Russia. Most of the information contained in the file has already appeared in press cable messages. LABOUR'S SUPPORT "Let me say right away that Labour's passion for peace makes it necessary for us to support the collective action of the League of Nations," said the Leader ot the Opposition, Mr Savage. " It. looks . as though the better way to uphold the principles of universal peace is for the nations of the world to combine in stopping supplies to the aggressor." Mr Savage said he had been assured by the Prime Minister that the purpose of the Bill was to provide for enforcement of economic sanctions only, and even though it wa3 provided that action should be taken by Order-in-Council, usually an unsatisfactory method of administration, he considered that in this instance it was the only practicable method, as no one could tell what might happen from time to time. The Prime Minister had stated that this might be the turning point in history." "Let us hope it is the turning point," said Mr Savage, " and that our previous hopes for and advocacy of peace will be met by universal peace." Continuing, Mr Savage stated that the Bill contained one or two clauses which at, first sight might not commend themselves to members, but he thought no serious objection could be taken to the measure. It was clear that it did not provide for the introduction of conscription, and members would see that the rights of citizens had been fairlv well preserved. In connection with the breaches of the regulations that would have to be provided from time to time, there appeared to be a weakness in that there was no right for trial by jury. Mr Savage asked whether the Prime Minister would consider the advisability of introducing, even at that stage, provision for persons charged with breaches of the regulations to be dealt with on indictment rather than by summary conviction. " So long as the League of Nations exists for the purpose for which it does exist," added Mr Savage, "that of taking ! collective action in the event of war among members, and believing as I do that collective action is the only means of acquiring peace, it seems that all sections of the House will support the mam provisions of the Bill. There is this matter, however, to be considered. Parliament i*> about to dissolve, and when it has done so someone will still have the responsibility. It may be necessary to take other action later, but so long as this Government or its successor is willing to call the representatives of the people together before anything is done there appears to be no need for quibbling. We 'are called on now to deal with the position as it exists at present, and if the world sets itself out to deprive the aggressors of the means of war it seems that we will be a step closer to universal peace." DOMINION'S OBLIGATIONS Mr Downie Stewart said that the introduction of the Bill was an occasion of •great historical interest and importance because it was the first time New Zealand had been called upon to take its part in fulfilling its obligations under article 16 of the Covenant of the League. Even if the measures which were being taken under the Bill and being taken in other countries to impose an embargo or boycott might not be fully effective in the present crisis, the moral effect of the action by such a world assembly of nations as a deterrent in future must be very far-reaching indeed. One of the most striking features ot the whole matter, said Mr Stewart, had been the practical unanimity of public opinion throughout on the need to maintain the supreme authority of the League in international affairs. The fact was that it seemed to have been recognised in every part of the Empire that we had come to a turning point in the history of the world and that if the League did not prove effective under the procedure that was at present being contemplated there was. every prospect of sinking back into the old international anarchy and chaos which had prevailed before the League was established. Mr Stewart said he was a little doubtful as to the reason for the insertion of paragraph 3, sub-clauses A and B, which seemed to him to be slightly alien to the purposes of the Bill. The proviso stated: " Nothing in the section shall constitute the making of regulations requiring any person to undergo compulsory training for service in any military, naval, or air force or requiring any person to serve in New Zealand or overseas as a member of any military, naval, or air force." "I presume," said Mr Stewart, "that has been put in as a precautionary measure in case it might be assumed that if absolute authority was given to make regulations to enforce the sanctions it ' would be read literally perhaps confer authority to dispense forces. It seems somewhat alien to the purposes of the Bill to put this clause in, because it might be misleading as to what the existing law is. Under the Defence Act it is made quite clear that the territorial force is | liable to serve in any part of New Zea- | land, but not oversea, and in the Defence \ Amendment Act, 1912, the GovernorGeneral is authorised by proclamation to call up the territorial force for active service, eo that the law is clearly stated in our Defence Act. To put in such a precautionary measure as is put in here might lead the public to suppose that the < provisions of this Bill are going to overrule the Defence Act, but as long as it is made clear and understood that it is merely put in, as I gather, to emphasise

j the fact that these regulations will not confer authority to despatch forces overseas, then I have no strong objection to the inclusion of it." j SANCTITY OF CONTRACT Mr Veitch gave his unqualified support to the Bill, which he considered of the greatest importance in defining the principle of the sanctity of contract. He referred to the withholding of bank credits from Italy as a new and interesting economic experiment. Banking institutions, he considered, would have an opportunity of redeeming themselves in the eyes of their critics. If they succeeded in restraining Italy's credit in the interests of peace they would show that the I present monetary system was not as bad 1 as it was painted. I Mr W. J. Poison referred to the point, ' raised by Mr Downie Stewart, saying : that the clause mentioning military service might be open to misconception. Why was it necessary to include the provision •referring to military sanctions in a measure dealing only with economic sanctions? The very suggestion of any such i action had been definitely repudiated by the British Government and it was out of the question altogether as far it concerned New Zealand. Mr Poison thought it rather unwise to frame the Bill in this particular way. It might create the impression that the Dominion was not entirely prepared to trust the Mother Country, and although no member of the House would subscribe to that doctrine, he thought it might be made use of by others. He would not give a handle to any interested party to discuss or promote such a suggestion. THE BILL PASSED Replying to the debate, Mr Forbes re ferred to the point raised by Mr Stewart. He said the object of the clause was to make it clear that no regulations could be issued under the present Bill to empower the Government to bring in compulsory military training or to send men overseas. A matter of that sort would require separate legislation. The Bill was put through all its stages and passed, with little discussion.