PACIFIC AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1930, Page 7

PACIFIC AFFAIRS

THE INSTITUTE’S WORK. MEETING OF NEW ZEALAND n-,A.\ai.

The annual meeiiig off the New Zealand 01 illicit of tiie institute of 'Pacific Relations, held in Wellington, was attended by Sir James Allen (resident,), Messrs J. E. btrachan and G. Lawn (representing the Canterbury group), M. F. Von Haast and T. D.H. Hall (Wellington), Professor Benson 'Jingo), Professor Belshaw (Auckland), Air W. Nash, M.P., Mr W. B. Afatiieson, -Miss AI. Seaton anil Dr. Sclioleheld, lionorary secretary. Apolog'*-- were received from Mr 1 ustice Smith, Mr M. Fraser, Mr M. H. Cocker and Professor Segar. The president, in his annual report, stated that the branch was in the fourth year of its existence and was a healthy organisation of four groups one in each centre. The membership was rather intensive than extensive, and he trusted that during the year the groups would be able to make the work of the institute better known among business men and publicists and enlist their support, He was much encouraged by the generous assistance given by prominent leaders of industry in fiti-mcing the delegation to the recent conference in Japan.

The. membership in the middle of 1929 was about 140. Group activities took the form of periodical meetings at which papers were read and dis cussed. The Wellington group last year adopted with marked success the practice of meeting in the homes' o' 1 ' members of the group. v The conference in Japan threw a great deal of work on to the branch and gboups ir the operation of data and in select ing and financing a delegation of adequate strength nwl standing to represent New Zealand in a worthy.manner The d-oWates were:—Air W. !3, Alntlio 'son i Wellington), who was leader, Pro fessor Belshaw. Miss Vera '.Hay and A r r.T. G. Fn"wood (Auckland), Miss ■l.'Seaton (Wellington), Air. G. Law" and Miss C. West.-Wa+son f(Canterbury V - Tn preparation for the conference the, bran eh published the •.volume ‘.‘New- Zealand Affairs,” containing papers by several of its mepihers or imhortant aspects of New Zealand life ancl some of. our problems. , A grant ■from headquarters enabled them to 'mil the book at the low of 5s /ind it was hoped soon to dispose of flic whole edition.! The - . a'ccouH

showed that despite the heavy de,n.iands- on the finances during the year nr-d a contribution of £IOO made to wards the central -fund at Honolulu the branch was at least solvent. T' matter of future finance would .require fe be considered. As a result of the at Kyoto several, projects («r research to be carried out in New ZmPnnd would be submitted. Hie report was adopted and ordered ho circulated' to the groups. .following ofim-e-bearers were elected:—President, Sir James Allen .

vice-presidents, Ale.ssrs W. H. Cocke (Auckland), ,j . E. btrachan (Canter miry, Waiter Nash, M.P., (Welling ton;, honorary treasure!, Mr V. N Beasley, research secretary, Professo, Benson. Mr Matheson was co-optei a member of the National Council, tin other co-optive members to be appoint id after the groups Jiad noniinatei their delegates.

Tlie honorary secretary (Dr. Schol-e field) tendered his resignation, statin, that he found the work now too oner nus to carry on any longer. He sag gestbd that the council would have t face the problem of a paid secretary Members spoke eulogistioally ot th work done by Dr. Scliolefield during ■ lie past three and h half years am; .varmly urged him to continue. Even anally it was agreed that lie sliouh carry on until September 1, and tiia meanwhile a committee, consisting o Air Von Haast, Mr Matheson, Air Nas! and the honorary secretary, should cot sider the best means of providing tin necessary assistance and carrying on after that date.

The date of the next conferenc winch is to be held in China, was dis cussed The American group wrot< strongly favouring 1931. It was even tually resolved that the New Zealand Council considered that the conferenc should be held in 1932, but not latei han June in that year, By way ol preparation it was recommended thaf a conference of all members of the New Zealand branch should be held abouf the end of 1931, at which subjects -foi liscussiou at the China conference • .liould be debated. It was considered 'inadvisable at present to forward suggestions for the conference order paper but groups were invited to remit their suggestions to the National Council at the earliest possible moment. Reports on the Japan Conference were received from Air ATatheson, Pro lessor Belshaw and Air Alerle Da vs Copies were ordered to be sent to iaui >f the groups. A vote of thanks was ■ccorded Air ATatheson and ’’lofiiu-i belshaw for the report.

It was resolved—“ That the Nation d Council notes with approval that the oroposal to remove the headquarters of the institute from Honolulu was abandoned.”

The contemplated retirement of Air Merle Davis from the general secretary hip was discussed, and general regret was expressed. It was resolved—“ That his: National Council has heard with le-ep regret of the contemplated retirement of Air J. Alerle Davis, and trusts L hat, even at this late hour,’ some way may he found of retaining his' invaluable services for the institute.”

Following on the reports of the delegates, it was resolved to place on re 'wd the council’s high appreciation of the manner in which the conferenc o was conducted by the Japanese branch and of the friendly hospitality extend'd to the visiting delegates by the Tapnnese Council, the Government and people of Japan.

Dr Belshaw reported upon the pronosal that Auckland University. College be entrusted with a research pro’ect into land utilisation and fa.-in organisation in New Zealand, the research to be carried out under his supervision. The council expressed aporeciation elf the institution of the inquiry and the selection of Dr. Belshaw 'or the work.

The suggestion o*f the various groups with regard to the annual subscription f or membership were considered. As it was felt that uniformity as between groups and branch was desirable, it was resolved that groups should pnv *■o the branch 10s per annum for each ‘bill member plus -5s 6d in each case f or the subscription to “Pacific VfFnirs.”

In order to secure uniformity in the accounts, it was resolved that the finnncial year should end on December 31 that groups should hold their annual meetings not later than should be net later than May 31. A pronasal for the study of New Zeaband tariffs and the treatment of alums n New Zealand was referred to the research secreterv, Professor Benson, with power to act.