BRITAIN NOT SIGNATORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL RELIEF CONVENTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18466, 18 May 1928, Page 5

BRITAIN NOT SIGNATORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL RELIEF CONVENTION.

(United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received Ma)* IS. 10.30 a.m.) * RUGBY, May 17. A question was asked in the House of Commons whether his Majesty’s Government proposed to contribute to the ciraolo scheme for a permanent international relief organisation and, if so, whether any part of such funds would be devoted to the relief of distress caused by the earthquakes in Bulgaria and Greece. Mr Godfrey Lockcr-Lampson, Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, replied that his Majesty’s Government in Great Britain had from the first made it clear that their signature of the International Relief Union Convention was dependent on practically the unanimous acceptance of the scheme by States which were members of the League of Nations. As they were not yet satisfied that this was the case they had not yet signed the Convention. The question would be reconsidered shortly. The Convention was not yet in force and the fund to be raised under the scheme could not. therefore, be applied to the relief of distress caused by the recent earthquakes in Bulgaria and Greece. The Convention would become operative as’soon as it had been ratified by the twelve signatory Powers, whose combined contributions amounted to 600 shares.—British Official Wireless.