THE PHILIPPING

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10273, 7 May 1919, Page 7

THE PHILIPPING

DESIRES IISDEPtiDEKCE

lAN INTELLIGENT AND AMBITIOUS BACK. Mr E. Dryver, of Sourabaya, Java, who arrived in Sydney recently from tho Philippine Islands, had some interesting remarks to make to a Sydney newspaper representative. Some months ago he was delegated by the Dutch Government to investigate the government of the Philippines. He will, on liis return, recommend to the Dutch authorities what changes should, in his opinion, be made in the government of Java. Months will be spent in tho compilation of the report, which will affect 40,000,000 Javaneso under the Dutch llug. Mr Dryver remarked on the great change wrougut by American (administration in the Philippines, during the past twenty years. ' After -paying a tribute to tnu liign intelligence or the Philippine, he referred to tho prosperity of the country, and the participation oj tho natives in the government. .Both Chambers of Parliament— Representatives and Senate—are now filled by Philippines, and the Governor-General is the only American. He has the potfer of .veto' over all legislation, but this is seldom exercised. Tho educational system is the most ell'ectivo America can provide, and universities give tho final polish to tho natives' training. But notwithstanding all tho scientific and up-to-date methods of government introduced by America, there is still that craving tor independence. The war has given a groat stimulus to this feeling. It culminated when President Wilson laid down his 14 points (including the right of self-determination to all countries), in a delegation from the Philippines being dispatched to America to request the President to apply his doctrine to the Philippines. The result oi that visit has not yet been jnada public. It was Mr Dryver thinks, unsuccessful.

He pointed out that there was no possibilitv of independence being secured for some years. "The passing of the, >■ resent generation will see its introduction. ' Considerations governing tho safety of America influence the withholding of this concession The American language is becoming more generally used, but Spanish still has a big following. The problem there, as in Australia, is undeveloped territoiyMuch of the country cannot be worked on account of the shortage of cheap labour. Many Americans advocate entry being granted to cheap Japanese and Chinese labour in order to work the mineral and • '.'.ler deposits, but opinion is so strongly against that that such a move is not probable. Mr Dryver would not express an_opinion on Australia's white policy, but he considered no harm could result from ths introduction of cheap labour to develop a country's rich resources. Referring to Java, he remarked that it would not be an easy matter to treat the Javaneso in the same way as tho Philippines. He pointed out that there was a marked difference ."in . intelligence "in favour of the. Philippine And another thing: "Java, like the British Indies, has been colonised for centuries, whereas America's occupation of the ' Philippines has extended only over 20 years." On tho question of trade, Mr Dryver emphasised the great increase in Japan's trade with Java since tho war. The cutting off of European supplies forced Java, Japanese, and Australian markets, and these trade routes will now not suffer by the resumption of European'activities. To his mind, the East should be independent of tho West in trade, and the concentration, of Japan in the Pacifio places in strong light her ambitions to secure commercial mastery in those waters.