“WHITE AUSTRALIA

Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1920, Page 3

“WHITE AUSTRALIA

UNEASY FEELING IN THE COMMONWEALTH.

SYDNEY, Aug. 11

There is in tho Commonwealth an uneasy and very widespread feeling that the policy of “White Australia” is in grave danger. This uneasiness lias found expression in one or two guarded newspaper articles. It is pointed out that, whereas Australia expected to receive her mandate for the government of the captured German territory in the Pacific many months ago, it is not yet to hand. When Mr Hughes came back from the Pence Conference a year ago, he made several references to the mandate, which indicated that he expected this official authority to follow him very shortly. Now, it appears, from the careful utterances of one or two Ministers, that Australia need not expect her mandate until it has been approved by the executive body of the League of Nations.

Why the delay? The answer is provided by every one here who discusses the matter without hesitation. Japan, it is believed, is working through the channels of secret diplomacy + o wir.lilmld the mandate from Australia until Australia recedes in some degree from her policy of “A White Austral*-i.” Japan, it is pointed put, fought hard against the principle during the Peace Conference, and, being beaten, promised to try other means to bring about her wishes.

There is to be another conference of the Powers in a couple of months’ time, when it is believed that this matter of the mandates will be finally settled. It is being said here that Australia should have at that Conference the strongest possible representation—failing which (he clever and tireless Japanese diplomats may undermine the “White Australia” creed, if not in relation to Australia herself, at least so far as it affects the late island possessions of Germany. Mr Hughes and a party are going off to New Guinea this month, to have a look over .the captured territory. The newspapers are asking how, if lie is going into the Pacific, he is going to reach Europe in time for the Conference—:for it is assumed that if no one else goes. Mr Hughes must go forth again as the champion of “White Australia.” “White Australia” is the most treasured gem in all Australia’s big collection of policie.s and formulas, and the people here will never give it up. They suspect Japan—naturally enough, in the circumstances—but they also suspect English statesmanship. There seems no reason for it—yet they believe that Britain would sell them to Japan.