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The Chinese delegate spoke briefly in favour of the grant of immediate independence, and the Australian delegate expressed his regret that the proposals of his Government for the settlement of the problem by a body of seven —namely, the Big Four and three associated Powers elected by the Conference—should have met with no success. The Ethiopian delegate pressed his country's claim for the restoration of Eritrea, a proposal which met with general support, and the Ethiopian delegate agreed not to press for a decision, but to leave this question to be settled by the Council of Foreign Ministers. During the course of the discussion the Commission also heard stated the Egyptian desire for frontier revision, which would recognize their claims in Eritrea. Egypt also voiced the desire of the Arabs in Libya to obtain self-government, the immediate grant of which was advocated by the Chinese delegation. The British Government also reminded the Conference of their pledge to the Senussi in Cyrenaica, who had helped the Allies during the war, that they would never again be subjected to Italian rule. It was also made clear that in renouncing her sovereignty Italy was not necessarily excluded from her former colonies. When the Commission proceeded to vote on the amendments, that put forward by Brazil was rejected by 18 votes to 1, with 1 abstention. The New Zealand amendment was rejected by 16 votes to 2, with 2 abstentions, Netherlands being the only other country to vote for it, while China and India abstained. The article as its stands in the draft treaty was then adopted without objection, Australia and Brazil abstaining in the Commission, and New Zealand abstaining in the Conference. FRANCO-ITALIAN FRONTIER The Franco-Italian frontier was the first provision of the treaty to be discussed by the Commission, and it followed a procedural debate on the Australian proposal for the appointment of a standing committee of investigation into all boundaries affected by the treaty. This was to be a body of a permanent nature, composed of seven members representing the Big Four and three other States, which would be charged with the task of looking into conflicting claims. Eventually the proposal was withdrawn in view of the fact that the Rules of Procedure permitted of the setting up of Sub-Commissions, as and when required. Though this did not meet the Australian point of view, it was found that no other course was acceptable to the majority of members of the Commission. The Australians reserved the right to propose the establishment of sub-committees as and when they appeared to be required throughout the Conference. After a general discussion on the Franco-Italian boundary, during which Signor Sarragat was invited to present Italy's case, the Commission turned to a detailed examination of the various amendments.