People of the Pacific Entering New World

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 438, 21 August 1928, Page 16

People of the Pacific Entering New World

MR. COATES’S REVIEW FRIENDSHIP AND DEFENCE (From Our Own Correspondent) WANGANUI, Monday. “The people of the Pacific are for the new world. They have a brighter and more prosperous life than is possible in the old world, and they look forward with greater eagerness to the gifts of the future. We in New Zealand are in our swaddling clothes.” Speaking thus before th© Rotary Club this evening the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, devoted considerable time to a discussion of the relations between the nations of the Pacific. He is firmly convinced that the friendship between the leading Powers is firmly rooted. At the same time he believes the construction of the naval base at Singapore is a necessary defensive measure. NO MENACE TO JAPAN The construction of the base was in no sense a threat or menace to Japan, said Mr. Coates, but rather was portion of defensive construction in the Pacific, known and assented to by all parties to the Washington Treaty. “A base at Singapore is essential for the security of British possessions and British people in the Pacific,” said Mr. Coates. “It is a plain fact that without such a base Brysh capital ships could not operate xn the Pacific in time of war. Though we may have every confidence that such a war in the future is impossible, we should fail in our duty in the present state of affairs unless the minimum preparations were made that are necessary to enable the fleet to enter the Pacific should Its services be required. It is for this reason that the New Zealand Parliament recently approved of a grant of £1,000,000 In eight instalments toward the formation of the Singapore base. * “New Zealand, in common with other portions of the British Empire, heartily endorses the aims and objects of the League of Nations, but, unfortunately, one of the great Pacific Powers, the United States of America, is not a member of that organisation,” said Mr. Coates. “In any case, New Zealand will welcome any method of creating good feeling and close collaboration between the countries of the Pacific. Among the more important means of increasing mutual knowledge are such bodies as the Institute of Pacific Relations, the Pan-Pacific Union and those less formal bodies which have an international bearing, not the least of which Is Rotary. HONOLULU’S INFLUENCE “Honolulu is the centre round which a number of movements have developed. A women’s conference is being held there and then we have the Cook Anniversary celebrations. At both gatherings New Zealand Is represented.” At present, with the single exception of China, relations between all countries of the Pacific were excellent and there was every prospect of their continuing to be so. With the apparent triumph in China of the Nationalist forces, we might hope for

a more settled condition of affairs and a return to normal prosperity. “The relations between Japan and the British Empire and particularly the relations between Japan and New Zealand had always been of the friendliest,” continued Mr. Coates. “Never had the relationships between Japan and New Zealand been better than they were to-day.” (Applause.) We in New Zealand do not forget Japan’s action in the world war,” the Prime Minister added. “Japan was called upon, and immediately came to our assistance to transport our contribution to what this country and the other parts of the Empire considered was almost the turning point of liberty and civilisation as we understand it.” (Applause.) The Prime Minister said the great potentialities of the Pacific could be realised only by a full and mutual understanding of each of the peoplen concerned. National suspicion and distrust were largely bred of ignorance. Understanding was created bv contact and there was a full realisation In New Zealand of the benefits of a mutual interchange of visits bv such bodies as Rotary, by trade delegations, by fleets and even bv private individuals.