MR SCULLIN AT GENEVA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 28

MR SCULLIN AT GENEVA.

A PLEA FOR DISARMAMENT. GENEVA, September 20. Mr J. H. Scullin (Prime Minister of Australia), addressing the Disarmament Committee, reaffirmed the faith of the Government and the people of Australia in the aims and achievements of tho League of Nations. Many believed that the League was making insufficient progress towards disarmament, “ but,” ho said, “ we must give due credit for tho success achieved. While we realise the immense difficulties, both technical and political, facing the proposed disarmament conference, we should be able to look forward to greater progress. Tho costs of armaments are an over-heavy load for the people, who are burdened already with excessive taxation to meet the colossal cost of war. Unless civilisation is to stand still we must take fuller advantage of the means available for settling international differences by law instead of by war. which is a barbarous method.”

Mr Scullin’s speech was made in the course of a debate on the proposed convention for financially aiding any country which was the victim of aggression. Mr Scullin declared that the Australian Government strongly supported the principles of the proposed convention, subject to two conditions—(l) The provisions should not operate till a general disarmament treaty was signed, and (2) that the liability of the guarantors be limited to the share assigned to them in the draft convention.

• Mr Scullin, in passing, joined in an appeal to the delegates to accept compromises in the wording of the convention in order to obtain general ratification.