THE LEAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 22132, 28 September 1933, Page 7

THE LEAGUE

SESSION OF ASSEMBLY THE GENERAL DEBATE DELAYED COUNCIL VACANCY (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Geneva, September 26. This afternoon’s meeting of the League Assembly was postponed, it is believed, owing to fears of the raising of the Jewish question which might result in the departure of the Germans. The Australian Press Association says the postponement of the opening of the general debate in the Assembly until to-morrow was merely due to a lack of speakers ready to take the rostrum and set the ball rolling. As has happened several times before the delegations are holding back until someone has intimated his willingness to take the seat. A decision affecting Australia’s candidature for the Council was taken to-day by the general committee. This was a recommendation to the Assembly to hold the election on a normal day next Monday, which those well-in-formed state will strengthen Australia’s chances. There has been an attempt by the small Powers who are under a grouping system and are unable to obtain a seat on the Council to postpone the whole of the elections until both the Assembly and the Council tackle the question whether there should not be an extra seat provided which will give the non-grouped Powers a chance of representation. To-day’s decision means that the three vacancies will first be filled on October’ 2, leaving the question of the enlargement of the Council till later. It is already being taken for granted that Argentina will be represented on Monday and elected to the South American vacancy. The surprise election of Mr te Water as president yesterday and its possible repercussion on the Council elections has been a general topic in the corridors to-day. It is now admitted that the surprise decision yesterday was engineered by the Norwegian delegate, M. Hambro, who disowns any intention of prejudicing Australia’s chances. On the contrary he declares that yesterday’s supporters of Mr te Water will equally support Australia. Nevertheless the Australian Press Association learns that the League officials have indicated to both the British and Australian delegations that it was advisable to get busy and obtained promises of the necessary number of votes. Britain is already exercising pressure in this direction, consequently there is still confidence in League and British circles that Australia will succeed the Free State as the holder of a threeyear seat on the Council.

Mr te Water, the new president of the League Assembly, was born at Graaf Reinet in 1887, his father being at one time Secretary for Cape Colony. Educated at the Normal College, Cape Town, George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, Bedford Grammar School, and Cambridge University, he was called to the bar in the Inner Temple in 1910. He then returned to South Africa and practised at • Pretoria, eventually becoming a K.C. While at Cambridge he played Rugby for the university, and rowed in his college eight. Later he captained the Pretoria Rugby Club for two years. In 1912 he was present at the formation of the Nationalist Party at the Bloemfontein conference. Twelve years later he was elected for Pretoria Central, which he represented until his defeat in 1929. He did much for the progress of his constituency, and was an enthusiastic advocate of the development of the iron and steel industry. In the House, although not a brilliant orator, he was often called on by his leaders to reply to the Opposition, as his speeches were full of good matter. He served on the Police and Railway Commissions. Described as the best-dressed man in the House, he has an attractive personality, his great tact and charm winning him many friends. He came rapidly to the front in the Nationalist party, and the moderation of his views won him the respect of the Opposition. In August, 1929, he was appointed to succeed Mr Eric Louw as High Commissioner in London. It was at first reported that he was to have the rank of Minister Plenipotentiary, but this was denied. His wife is a daughter of Charles Marais.