IN THE PACIFIC

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1920, Page 4

IN THE PACIFIC

[per press association. —copyright.] WELLINGTON, March 3. Speaking at the opening of the Chambers fo Commerce Conference, the Prime Minister referred to the conditions in the Pacific Islands. He said it was important that the Pacific Islands should be under Anglo-Saxon control. In Honolulu lie said, there were CONOCO Japanese and not all the power of America could get them out. They could practically run the Hawaiian group.” ‘I am perfectly aware” lie said, “that the Japs are good friends of ours. During the war they played the game, but it may be that the friends of to-day may be the enemies of to-morrow. Now is our opportunity and we must take advantage of the position of course, fairly and honourably. IVe must take care that in future we do not surfer from the disadvantages we had to face at the beginning of the war with enemies at outdoors. IVe must take care not to allow aliens to be established in the islands under our control. Speaking of the New Hebrides, Mr Massey said that something should he done urgently. One never heard of exports to or imports from the New Hebrides, and the conditions of the natives there were appalling. A joint system of control by Great Britain and France had worked badly, and it was the business of Australia and New Zealand to see that something better was done. He had done his best to arrange matters at Home, but the Peace Conference could not take cognisance of the New Hebrides as they were not enemy possessions. For the sake of the natives, we should do our level best te put things there on a proper footing.