PACIFIC ISLANDS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1017, 5 January 1911, Page 5

PACIFIC ISLANDS.

AUSTRALIAN CONTROL DESIRED. SYDNEY AS GOVERNING CENTRE. By Telocraph—Press Association-Copyright Sydney, January -1. Tho "Sydney, Morning Herald' states that an important movement is afoot with a view to having the office of the High Commissioner for tho. Western Pacific removed from Fiji to Sydney, the proposal being that the position shall eventually becouio a Commonwealth instead of an Imperial one. . Tho paper adds:—"The question, it is understood, has already received the attention of- tho Federal Government, but it is realised to bo a somewhat difficult task to induce the, British authorities to recognise that Australian interests in the Pacific have absorbed and outgrown Imperial interests." "Wp can only regard the Pacific," continues the "Herald," "as the natural harrier between ourselves and the Asiatic East. Wo' have all along argued what is now an admitted fact—that questions of geography make Fiji a most undesirable placo of residenco for the High Commissioner. Now that the islands are being recognised as a promising field for the planter, there. is all the more need that a definite policy' should be pursued right through the Pacific, and tho Commissioner .be so placed that ho.can control such policy at any point of its application. Sydney is such a natural centre, and, with-improvements as regards communication, its- claims will be more obvious."

The offico of High Commissioner in, over, and for the Western Pacific Islands, was created by an Order-in-Coun-cil, cited as the Western Pacific Order-in-Council of 1877, for the purpose of bettor carrying out the provisions of tho Pacific Islanders' Protection Acts,-1872 and 1875, and to provide a Civil -Court for tjis settlement of. disputes between British subjects living in . these islands. The jurisdiction of the High Commissioner extends over all islands in the Western Pacific not being within the limits of the Colonies of Fiji,' Queensland, New South Wales, or New Zealand, and mot being within the jurisdiction of any civilised Power. In 181)3 a new Order-in-Council was issued, known as the Pacific Order-in-Council, 1893, in accordance with which tho High Commissioner's jurisdiction to foreigners and (in most cases) to natives residing in British settlements or protectorates within the limits of the Order. Under tho provisions of tho New Hebrides Order-in-Council, 1907, the jurisdiction.of tho High Commissioner extends also to the islands in the-Pacific Ocean known as the New Hebrides, and all the islands known as tho Banks Islands and Torres Islands. Tho expenses of the High Commission are met from Imperial funds. .