A.—sa.

" Authorizes the High Commissioner to interpret his mandate as applying to refugees coming from Austria, until a final decision on the subject has been taken by the Assembly at its next session, " Instructs the Secretary-General to transmit the present report for information to the Governments of the United States of America and of the United States of Brazil." For the purposes of Assembly consideration in September, this particular question will be merged in the wider question concerning refugees as a whole. I should add that during the short discussion in the Council I spoke as follows :— " The proposal to extend the authority of the High Commissioner for Refugees coming from Germany to cover refugees from the territory which we know as Austria has the full support of my country, which warmly approves the continuance of all possible endeavours to mitigate the lot of these people. May I take this opportunity of expressing the hope that the treatment meted out to the Jews of Austria in the early days of the German occupation will give way to a more enlightened form of treatment, and that if forced emigration is the policy of the German Government, then more enlightened treatment will be accorded during the period elapsing before such emigration is completed." Immediately before the final public meeting of the Council on the 14th May there was held a short private meeting, at which the following items were considered :— The Treaty of Mutual Guarantee between Germany, Belgium, France, Great Britain, and Italy done at Locarno on October 16th, 1925. On the proposal of the President consideration of this item was postponed. Participation of the League of Nations in the New York Exhibition. The Secretary-General made a short statement which was in the nature of a progress report. Briefly, this statement was to the effect that plans are to be drawn for a pavilion, and that a General Commissioner will be appointed only after the construction of the building. We may expect to receive further information during the session of the Council in September next. Date of convening the Assembly. Lord Halifax suggested the postponement of the opening of the next Assembly by one week, and added that the United Kingdom Government proposed to suggest the inclusion in the Assembly agenda of an item concerning the revision of the rule relating to the opening date of the Assembly. Under the present Rules of Procedure the session is due to open on Monday, the sth September. Under decision of the Council States members are to be consulted, and I understand that this has already been done and by cable to distant countries. Question of Alexandretta. The Rapporteur, the representative of China, presented his report, Document C. 182, 1938. The position briefly was that the Council had authorized in September an expenditure of 700,000 Swiss francs to meet expenses of the work of the Commission appointed to organize the first elections in the Sanjak of Alexandretta. A subsequent postponement of the final date of the elections entails an increase of expenditure, which has to be provided for. Between the one hundredth and one hundredth and first sessions of the Council the President authorized an additional amount of 200,000 Swiss francs, and the Council was asked to authorize yet a further sum of 100,000 Swiss francs. The Council accepted its Rapporteur's motion and the resolution as passed is as follows :— " The Council— " In confirmation of the decision taken by its President on March 23rd, 1938 ; " Having regard to the unexpected delays which have occurred in connection with the work of the Commission appointed to supervise the first elections in the Sanjak of Alexandretta ; Authorizes the Secretary-General, in accordance with article 33 of the Financial Regulations, to draw on the Working Capital Fund to an amount not exceeding 1,000,000 Swiss francs, instead of 700,000 Swiss francs, as provided in its resolution of September 29th, 1937, to meet the expenses of the Commission appointed to supervise the first elections in the Sanjak of Alexandretta ; " Notes that the Governments of France and Turkey undertake to repay the sums thus advanced by the Secretary-General in equal proportions from time to time during the continuance of the work of the Commission." In the course of the discussion the French representative pleaded for economy, and the Turkish representative who, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure, was invited to "attend whilst this particular item was under discussion, endorsed that plea, and said that it must be understood that the additional credit should not imply a delay in electoral operations as his country was anxious that they should be concluded on the stipulated date. As there was not likely to be an opportunity at the final public meeting of expressing appreciation of the President's services during the session, I moved a vote of thanks, and Lord Halifax and other members of the Council supported me. M. Munters conducted the proceedings of the session with the greatest credit to himself and to his country. His tact, his impartiality, and his knowledge of the various matters which came up for consideration I am sure impressed every one present. Yours sincerely, W. J. Jordan, High Commissioner. The Right Honourable the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand.

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