LONG-TERM PLANNING BY BRITAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26693, 12 February 1948, Page 7

LONG-TERM PLANNING BY BRITAIN

Rec. 11.55 p.m. LONDON.Feb.iI. Britain Has no intention of acceding to the Argentine demands involving the Falkland Islands, it was learned authoritatively to-day, says the British United Press. On the contrary, she is answering Argentina by improving the constitution of the- Falklands on a long-term basis. A new municipal council for Stanley, the “ capital ” of the Falklands was inaugurated on January 1 in which six elected members have a majority over two official and one unofficial member appointed by the British governor. It is now learned that the Legislative Council of the Falklands will also be reconstituted by increasing the humber of unofficial members representing the inhabitants, the overwhelming majority of whom are British colonists.

Whitehall officials to-day stressed the British suggestion to submit the Argentine-British dispute to the International Court of Justice. They referred only to the Falkland dependencies and not to the Falkland Islands. So far as the Falkland Islands are concerned, the British attitude is definitely “ hands off.”