LEAGUE OF NATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 10 December 1926, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE BRITAIN IS SYMPATHETIC PRIVATE SECURITY PACTS By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dee. 9, 7.55 p.m. Geneva, Dee. 8. The Council of the League of Nations held a two hours’ public sitting and adopted a resolution that the member States may conclude security agreements whenever the circumstances favour it. The council also requested the preparatory commission to state definitely when the disarmament conference can be held and to draw up an agenda. Sir Austen Chamberlain reiterated that Britain was sympathetic towards the conference, but considered thorough preparation was necessary to avoid the possibility of failure. The council referred the Finnish proposal for an international war eheet • to the preparatory committee. It also adopted a resolution requesting the States to consider measures to facilitate communication by rail, air, telegraph and wireless in a ease of emergency, and to draw up lists of experts from whom commissioners can be chosen and promptly sent to the spot in the event of disputes. At a private session the council decided to hold an economic conference at Geneva on May 4, M. Theunis (Belgium) being chosen as president. Sir Eric Drummond communicated to members of the League Council and the Mandates Commission the replies of the Japanese, Belgian and Australian Governments regarding the commission’s famous questionnaire. The Australian Government’s reply says substantially that if petitioner, are given the right of appearing personally, the representative of the mandatory Power must be given a similar right. The Commonwealth Government thinks the existing practice should not be altered. It believes that neither the Council nor any League organisation is competent to interfere in the actual administration and the Commonwealth Government is unable to see in many cases how much information is likely to assist the commission in the bxercise of its duties, and is consequently of the opinion that it would be unwise to adopt the questionnaire in its present form.