Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1918. PLAIN-SPEAKIN

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1918. PLAIN-SPEAKIN

Tub report of the interview with the PL Hon. W. F. Massey cabled from London on Saturday in respect to Dr Solf’s speech, showed that our Premier made the right kind of utterance at the right time. Mr Massey did not mince his words, but indulged in plainspeaking which left no doubt as to his meaning. It was quite the best deliverance lie could have made, and jf was worth while that lie should be in London at the time and be able in the hcark of the Empire, to speak hi s mind, and let all sides hear what be had to sa.v. His remarks will he widely seen and read, and no better exposition of the colonial view regarding the appearance of German future control of the Pacific could be asked for. Mr Massey hits the nail on the head with every blow, and his robust speech re-echoes New Zealand’s feelings, and just-how the people most concerned in the question at issue, fepl about it, Dr Soil’ had tacked a lot of high falutin nonsense about German colonial control, and Air Massey in a few and trenchant sentences quickly disposed of his suave pretentions at super-excellence. Germany’s treatment of natives under her control is horrible reading, no less nauseating than her treatment of the white races in Europe she holds temporarily in subjection. As a nation she stands convicted of criminal treatment of her liege subjects. There is the strongest possible feeling in New Zealand against Germany being allowed to resume control in Samoa, and Mr Massey has voiced that objection in clear and unmistakeable terms. Mr. Massey’s protest will carry weight with the Allies who realise what New Zealand has done and is doing tor the common good of humaiiitv. New Zealand troops took great risks in seizing Samoa for the Allies, but fortunately the venture escaped disaster. Rut the risk was there all the same and having run ;t, flic Dominion is entitled to he heard as to the future disposal of the territory. The disposal of Samoa becomes part and parcel of the Pacific Islands problem in which Australia and Japan are specially interestcd ( as also the Continents of North and South America. It will not be to the advantage of the future peace of the world to allow Germany to have any serious control in the Pacific. The Panama Canal will he a great ocean highway hereafter, and there must he no menace against that route from such a war-loving nation as Germany. “Hands off tho Pacific-,’’ must ho one of the cardinal terms of the peace settlement to which the Central Powers must subscribe, Tinsacrifices made by Australia and New Zealand entitle the countries to receive a concession which so affects their future. Just, now the war correspondents are singing the praises of our troops for their great gallantry in saving France from the heel of the Hun. As a quid pro quo the Commonwealth and the Dominion will expect French interests and Allien forces generally, to respect our needs as much as their own, and save ns front a close association with a nation which cannot, he trusted. It is well therefore that Mr Massey has spoken promptly and in no uncertain sound. He has put the position forward bluntly so that all may realise the justice of the claim that the Pacific for the future shall be clear of German control and a haven of safety to the world’s commerce.