SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 267, 31 July 1918, Page 6

SAMOA

N.Z. REPRESENTATIVES' ATTITUDE ENDORSED. Mr. J. Boddie (Auckland) moved at yesterday's sitting of the New Zealand Farmers' Uuion Conference: "That this conference considers that the retention after the war of the captured German Pacific possessions is vital to the welfare of New Zealand and Australia." Mr. W. B. Matheson (Ekotahuna) expressed the opinion that th ( e Pacific Islands should be held until reasonable restitution is made by Germany. He moved as an amendment to strike out all the words after possessions, and substitute "is necessary until Belgian restitution is reasonably assured, and that the controlling influence be determined according to the principles laid down by the Allies' Conference. The amendment was not seconded. Mr. W. D. Lysuar (Gisbornc) said that if Samoa were given back to Germany it would only be made a base for naval and aerial operations. What of Heligoland ! The conference could strengthen the hands of Mr. Massev and Sir Joseph Ward by passing a resolution and cabling them to that effect Major Lusk (Auckland) agreed with Mr. Lysna.r. Mr. T. Whitwell (Nelson) said it should be made thoroughly understood that Germany was not again to have a hand in the Pacific. Mr. E. A. Campbell (Wanganui) said that it was'our duty to sec that Germany did not have the opportunity of making in the Pacific a fortification such as she had made of Heligoland. If Germany won the war she would retain Belgium and take our colonies. Eventually it was resolved that tho conference should endorse tho attitude of our representatives at the Imperial Conference respecting the captured German colonies.

The decision is to be cabled to the New Zealand represcrlativea.