PACIFIC POSSESSIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1854, 18 July 1918, Page 3

PACIFIC POSSESSIONS.

BERMAN CONTROL UNTHINKABLE. SPEECHES BY NEW ZEALAND .MINISTERS. London, July 15. The Britsh Empire League gave a luncheon to Air and Sir Joseph Ward at Claridge’s Hotel. Replying to the toast of his health, MV Alas-ey said ihat though the problems of the war had not yet boon solved, it was not 100 soon to begin dealing with the problems of peace. The Empire's citizens had upheld its dignity and prestige in the war, and would do so in peace. He feared Berman intrigue more than Berman force of arms. There must he an increase in Empire production, in order to hear the financial burdens, and also considerable emigration should be encouraged, ll would be the duly of legislators to encourage the working up of raw materials, and prevent unfair competition by (heir enemies. Much would have, to lie done to improve communications between different parts of the. Empire. Labour and Capital must work more harmoniously. He favoured profit-sharing. It was possible in war. We were stronger than the enemy in every department. The Allies would not be influenced by the enemy’s threats over Belgium. They had made up their minds to win, however long the war lasted.

Sir Joseph Ward disagreed Avith those who thought it premature to discuss possible peace terms. If the nation knoAv why it went to Avar, then, logically, it must be able to decide what its peace terms Avonld be. An uneasy suspicion had been aroused that the German Pacific Islands might he the subject of negotiation at the Peace Conference. The New Zealand delegates came to England with a positive mandate Dial Du* public Avonld never tolerate the handing back of Samoa. Under no circumstances must any such thing occur. Il avus unthinkable that Germany should ever again set a foothold in Dio Pacific, where she had been an interloper from Du* first. If such a calamity befell us Du* bonds of Empire would bo brought to straining point. The people of (ho .Motherland should understand the Dominions’ point of vicAV. They should realise Dial (his is no sland-and-delivcr threat, but Du* expression of a deep-seated conviction, iqion a definite ideal, and cultivated for half a century, often in Du* teeth of scant sympathy or enconragenionl from the Imperial authorities. He hoped ilia) this sublime indifference lo Du* importance, of ownership of a few small islands in the Pacific Avonld disappear for ever. How would Du* British people view Du* occupation by Germany of Die Isle of Man, flu* Channel Islands, Die Hebrides, or the Orkneys 1 In 18i)0 England failed to realise Die value of Heligoland. Was there anyone to-day who approved of Die cession of Heligoland ! The answer to Dmt quest ion just died part of our case as regarded the Berman possessions in Die Pacific. She would never have been (here but for the .masterly negligence of British statesmen, Those overseas disliked Germany's methods id' colonisation and their treatment of the naiivc races, and also hccausc. Die insj buds of Berman ambition avctc a standing menace to their security.