“ABUSE OF AUTHORITY.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17038, 11 May 1923, Page 7

“ABUSE OF AUTHORITY.”

LEAGUE OF NATIONS DECREE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Gable Association. (Received May 11, 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, May 10. Sir John Simon, in the House of Commons, raised the question of the League of Nations Council’s decree. He characterised the decree as an extraordinary and most astonishing abuse of Legislative Authority. The decree provided punishment not exceeding five years’ imprisonment, and a fine of not exceeding 10,COO francs on any person publicly casting discredit on tlie- Yersailes Treaty or insulting the League of Nations. Sir John said he wished to know What the Government proposed to do effectively to stop proceedings which were exposing the League to contempt and derision. Major E. F. L. Wood. replying, said that originally the difficult position in the Saar had been immensely complicated foy political reactions in the Ruhr. Major Wood said lie had been advised that from a strictly legal viewpoint the Saar Gommissioji had not gone beyond the treaty rights. The decree did not require the approval or confirmation of the Council, and was justified by the chairman of the commission on the ground that the conditions, in the opinion of the Saar Press, which was subsidised by Germany, were dangerous. Personally, Major Wood said, lie had not made a secret of his dislike of the decree*., and questioned its- wisdom. Vchat the Government now proposed was an impartial inquiry, through the League's machinery, into the general question, of the Saar administration. They would communicate with tlie States which, were members, of the Council. Upon their replies future action would depend. Sir John Simon asked whether the League of Nations Council, in March, , had adopted a proposal to issue a decree by the League, as the respon- * sible body under the Versailles Treaty, for the administration of the Saar Basin, making it an offence puuishi able by fine or imprisonment to criticise publicly the Treaty of Ver- ‘ sailles or the action of the League, and what action tlie British representatives had taken. Mr Stanley Baldwin replied that the | statement was substantially correct. ► With regard to tlie British representatives’ attitude, the president of the Board of Education would ' make a 5 statement next week.