STEP TOWARDS PEACE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17061, 20 September 1929, Page 8

STEP TOWARDS PEACE

THE OPTIONAL CLAUSE EMPIRE SIGNATORIES (Klee. To). ('op;, right—Vnitoil Tress Assn.) (Australian ami N.Z. Tress Association.) (Received September 2D, 1 p.m. GENEVA, September 19. The optional clause was signed in the large glass hall in which the council meets. " At the last moment General Sir Granville Ryric, Australia, and Air. It. Dandurand, Canada, were unable to join Mr. Arthur Henderson, Sir James fair, Sir Muhammad Habibullah, and .Mr. Erie Luuw, who signed respectively. Sir Granville 'Eyrie declared that owing to llm political crisis in Australia he had not received definite instructions from the Government, and therefore ho was unable to sign to-day. Mr. Dandurand announced that lie. was still without authorisation from lbs Government. Mr. Henderson, before signing, claimed that this was another important contribution towards world pence. lie referred io the exclusion of inter-Empire disputes. Sir James Parr merely repeated Mr. Henderson’s declaration in identical terms, and (lion the signing took place. France, Czeelio-Slovakia, and Peru also signed. The -ceremony was photographed. STATEMENT BY PREMIER RESERVATIONS EXPLAINED (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Sir Joseph Ward said he had to-day received from the High Commissioner a communication from Geneva stating that with Great Britain, South Africa, and India, New Zealand had signed the optional clause for a term of 10 | years, subject to the following reservations: — (]) Disputes refilling to domestic, jurisdietiou and inter-Dominiou disputes are excluded. (2) The right is reserved to suspend the court proceedings in any dispute for a period not exceeding IT months while the mutter is being considered !>v the Council of the League of Nations. Sir Joseph Ward said it was understood that Australia ami Canada would sign very shortly on the same terms. The Irish Free Stale had a 1 reside signed without reservation. France and oilier countries signed at the same time, but he had no advice ns to t tie exact terms of then' signature. Tlio Prime -Minister julded Unit the desire for Failed Empire action had been achieved.