GENEVA CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15366, 10 November 1920, Page 3

GENEVA CONFERENCE.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS- PROBLEMS,

(Eiec. Tel. Copyright— United Press Aua.) LONDON, Nov. 8.

The Dominions and British delegate* who are to attend the Geneva Conference, had a further conference with iShe British Cabinet at the Foreign' Office, Earl Cimon presiding. Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Bonar Law and Mr. Balfour wero absent. The Dominions were fully represented except Canada. „w . A desultory discussion took place}lasting two hours, in which the covenant and the probable procedure at Geneva were traversed. Many controversial points Were Iraisiied, including mandates, finance, and German membership of the League, but nothing was decided.

It is understood that France and Japan are principally concerned with the mandates which propose to permit the enrolment and training of native troops for the defence of the mandatory territories, but prohibit their employment outside those territories. France protests that the restriction is urirea'sonable, and should a crisis arise similar to that in the late war it would 'be a menac© to France's existence. ■ ' ■

Japan, objects to the mandate permitting the imposition of racial restrictions, trade and migration. . Neither the French nor Japanese attitude was discussed to-day. Merely passing references were made, general opinion favoring waiting for. the League's reception of the precise terms of mandates from the Allied Powers.

The delegates failed to elicit why th© issue of the mandates is delayed. The League is preparing a Budget of ' 1,000,000 sterling to meet the "forthcoming year's outlay. •

It is reported that Australia desires ■ the revision of the finance scheihe establishing contributions on the basis of th/e Postal Uunion. under which the Commonwealth ranks as a first-class . payei", and therefore contributes equally with Britain, while Belgium and other small.; nations ranking second class contribute considerably less. \ ,' The agenda of the Geneva Confer/ ence includes the League's budgets to the end of December nnd also proVi- < sional estimates for 1921.

PARIS, Nov. 8 P rhe Geneva meeting of the League^ of JNations wi 1 consider Bulgaria's application for admission to the League. No "™*,«?«»y -State, has applied.— A. and