PACIFIC PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 192, 9 May 1919, Page 3

PACIFIC PROBLEMS

A NEW ZBALANDEE'S VIEWS.

■"Problems , of. Reconstruction in the .Pacific".,was the..subject of a lecture by Mr. , . Guy H-. Scholelield at the. lloyai Colonial Institute, a few weeks ago. Air. Scholefield pointed out that half of New Guinea,-so long contended for between Great Britain and Germany, was larger than tho whole of the British Isles. He saii that .the views of New Zealand and Australia, with their direct and very considerable interest in the aoifio, .must .1)6, given great "weight in considering tlio prospects of improving the administration of the British possessions. The views of tho Colonial Office and those dominions had often been diametrically .opposed, ajid the attitude taken recently by Mr. Massey and Mr. Hughes was prompted by. the. $ahie. feeling of distrust which actuated Mr.Deakin at the Imperial Conference of 1907. ■■■ It was now understood, said Mr. Schole- ■ .field, that what .Australia'and New Zea.land demanded at the Peace-Conference had been conceded. • Nevertheless, those interested would desiro other alterations than that of the removal of German controb '• The development • Of the islands fcpuldnot bo.left to;chance. were many.'opportunities,, for.; itoprovdnehty both industrial! and political. "The 'future,", Mr. Scholefield said, "of British interests in the Pacific, if they are taken in hand properly, is , quite a, promising one." He suggested that a, round table conference with the Enipiro would be a step towards "a settlement of the- difficulties. ■