Volume 3 1926~1932


Doc No.
Date
Subject

No. 32 NAI DT S4834B

Extract from the minutes of the third meeting of First Committee of the League of Nations Assembly
(Copy)

Geneva, 14 September 1926

Mr. BLYTHE (Ireland) regretted that the Sub-Committee's draft contained no procedure for allowing the Assembly to withdraw the mandate of a non-permanent member of the Council. He was afraid that under the new system of rotation, the work of the League might be obstructed by the view which one member of the Council might hold with regard to its powers on that body. Such a situation might be prolonged for nearly three years. He thought that the arguments which had been advanced against an increase in the number of the members of the Council pointed to the necessity of the Assembly's being able to withdraw the mandate of a member of the Council. The possibility of the withdrawal would reduce the disadvantages pointed out by the Scandinavian delegations and inherent in a Council of too large size.

He thought that it ought to be possible for a non-permanent member of the Council to be deprived of his seat by a decision of the Assembly taken on a two-thirds majority, and he reserved the right to submit an amendment to this effect.