LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Southland Times, Issue 20499, 30 May 1928, Page 8

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

DOMINION COUNCIL ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON VARIETY OF SUBJECTS DISCUSSED (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 29. The annual conference of the Dominion Council of the League of Nations Union of New Zealand opened to-day. Dr. A. G. B. Fisher, Professor of Economics at the Otago University, presided. Delegates from all parts of New Zealand to the number of about 70 attended. The annual report showed a membership of about 2,340. Dr. Fisher said that the outstanding events in connection with the League during the year had been the optional clauses. He considered it a pity that Britain and the Dominion had both held back from signing. Each waited for a lead from the other. With regard to Samoa it was difficult, said Mr Fisher, to ascertain all the facts. He said he thought without going into the details of this dispute that the Government w’ould have been better advised to have been more generous with its publicity in this matter. Considerable dissension resulted on the British Government’s refusal to sign the optional clause of the permanent Court of International Justice.

Mr Airey (Christchurch) who introduced the subject, explained that this optional clause was a pledge by a country to submit certain legal disputes to a court of justice. It referred mostly to disputes about such things as treaties and legal damages. Although some 20 nations had signed the clause, Great Britain had refused to do so, her reason being that it was difficult to get the dominions to agree. He wanted to approach the New Zealand Government on the subject and see if they were standing in the way. So far they had not expressed any opinion. The Rev. Gibb said that the refusal to sign on the part of Great Britain was creating a bad impression in continental nations, in fact France was waiting to see what Great Britain would do. If the clause were signed, the feeling all round between the nations would be eased considerably. Some nations were even suggesting that Great Britain was not wholehearted in her relations with the League of Nations. He certainly considered that the New Zealand Government might take the public more into its confidence than it did. Mr J. Snodgrass, M.P., said that this matter was under discussion by the New Zealand Government and would be considered at a conference on June 4. He considered that the New Zealand Government was not expected to make things public until they had come to definite conclusions and it was unjustifiable to press them in the matter until they had made their final reply to Great Britain. The Rev. Gibb replied that the Government should not live in a sort of camera obscura and he deprecated this tendency to secret diplomacy. Eventually the following resolution was carried: —“That in view of the opinion expressed by Sir Austen Chamberlain in September, 1927, that Great Britain was prevented from signing the so-called optional clause, this conference urges upon the New Zealand Government the desirability of representing to the British Government that Great Britain need not hesitate to promise unmeasured adherence to the optional clause on account of a fear that New Zealand would thereby b$- committed to a policy of which she disapproves. This conference also urges the New Zealand Government to make a definite statement as to its policy.” The conference expressed its appreciation of the multi-lateral system and hoped that the New Zealand Government, the states and members of the League of Nations would find it possible to accept the treaty without violating their obligations.

Mr. Airey considered that systematic training (including ancheropology) should be given to officials proceeding to Samoa and other dependencies. He deprecated the necessity for establishing military police amongst the purely pacific Samoans. The Rev. Gibb said That he had found a police force was necessary in New Zea land. Why should Samoa be any exception ? The chairman considered that the Government should have taken the public more into its confidence but it would be unwise to pass any resolution on a subject about which they had not the full facts so the resolution was allowed to drop. Compulsory military training was introduced. Mr. Airey said that this system was inconsistent with the obligations of the League. However, whether it was or not he was concerned about the development of military training in our secondary schools. Military ideas were entering into their lives at a most impressionable age. The mere fact of training how to shoot at figure targets stimulated a desire to kill. The Rev. Gibb was against even discussing such a controversial subject for fear of creating internal disorder in the League. He was for the abolition of military training lock, stock and barrel. They had no right to decline conflict but ought not to seek it. The General Assembly had expressed an opinion against the system and where the Assembly was to-day, the Church was there to-morrow. Mr. Acheson said that disarmament was the biggest problem in this world to-day. What contribution was New Zealand going to make to the question. They must face this compulsory military training problem in the next few years. Already the Government had made certain alterations to the cadets and territorials training and the feeling in New Zealand was against the system.

After a lengthy discussion it was decided not to pursue the subject any further. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:—Patron, Sir James Allen, president, Dr. A. G. B. Fisher; hon vicepresidents, the Right Hon. J. G. Coates, the Hons. W. N. Stewart, F. J. Rolleston, Messrs H. E. Holland, M.P., F. Milner, Rev. Chatterton, Mrs. K. M. Evans, Rev. J. Gibb, Rev. J. Aitken, Rev. J. K. Archer, H. Valdar, E. C. Cutten, Sir Thomas MacKenzie, T. Bulford, Dr. Belshaw, Rev. P. Hughes, Mrs Fraer; hon. secretary, Mrs Leech. The hon treasurer (My. J. Greenfield) was unable to offer himself for reelection owing to pressure of work. The matter was left to the Dominion executive. Hon. Auditors, Messrs Barr, Hercus and Co. With the exception of Mrs Hanan, away in England, all the executive were re-elected. Mrs Patterson was elected to replace Mrs Hanan.