The Daily News. MONDAY, AUG. 14, 1905. BRITISH AND COLONIAL INTERESTS IN THE PACIFIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7898, 14 August 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. MONDAY, AUG. 14, 1905. BRITISH AND COLONIAL INTERESTS IN THE PACIFIC.

Tho attitude recently taken up by Germany in attempting to close the door ol its insignificant domain in the Pacific (the Marshall Islands) to British shipping, and the friction which exists in consequence of the preponderating influence of u,f French in the New Hebrides, .have naturally aroused a great feeling ■ of irritation in, Australia, live outcome of which is an outcry for action ,iy the Imperial Government, with the object of protecting the'Colonics from the serious consequences of the islands in the Pacific tjeing dominated by foreign nations. In the case of Germany's high-handed proceedings relative to the administration of the Marshall Islands the threatened retaliation of Hie Australians by means of a boycott Of German goods lias effected a speedy withdrawal of the irksome and hostile regulations which would have inflicted great injury on Australian shipping, and the latest phase of the question shows that German arrogance has had a fall. The German Ambassadoi to Britain has now assured -the British Minister for Foieign Affairs that the new regulations regarding .the administration of Germany's possessions in the Western Pacific would he issued immediately, and it was hoped these would prove, so satisfactory as to do away with the necessity for pressing further claims. It is jimlerstood that the. changes desired by Australia are to effect ,to,' and ,thai Messrs Burns, Phi I p and Co., the Australian firm most, effected, are to he granted facilities fur leasing'Jand for trading stations in the Marshall* and the Carolines, and that the oppressive fiscal legislation in the former group is to lie revised. This change in Germany's tone is eminently, satisfactory. all the'more so as-'it has been effected not by means of diplomacy, but by a plain intimation from Australia of the consequences of the illadvised aciion of Germany, if persisted in. There is no need now, il Germany keeps to her promises, for Australia to imitate Canada's example by adopting a preferential tariff, or taking other steps to show her displeasure. Tin* irrepressible Kaiser has probably been taught a lesson that' lie will remember, and uutpss he wishes Jo effectively stop the export of German manufactures he will curb Iris Impetuosity when it is likely to land him into <¥)jiflict with the British Colonies. The question of solving the New Hebrides problem is one that presents far ereater difficulties than those which surrounded (ho/ administration of the Marshall Islands. For many years past the New Hebrides have been more or less a source of international difficulty between Britain and France, and although an agreement jyas arrived at that neither power should aimex the

group, the Flench, apparently in vio lation of their agreement, laiulei troops there in 18Sfi on various pre fxts, anil formed auxiliary station: ,t various points, but this state o ,(lairs was not permitted to exis or lons, an evacuation taking place ind by a convention .with Great Hri ain signed in October, 1887, a dua irotectoratc was'formed by means o i niiNrd commissian ol naval officer; jeloiii: ng to the French and Britisl iav.il stations in the Pacific. Sofa is this arrangement went it serve." he purpose as well as could be ex lectf 1 . but as time went on it be evident that the French wer. )btlining a preponderating influence This was partly due to the unfavour lMe nature of the climate, but ii ar t^ieater measure to the action o ihc French in purchasing land Iron '.he natives, not- for money, hut b> w.itcr in its worst form—arms am spirits. The British element in th imputation could not, we are glad t< say, compete with tlvc French on lb. samp lines, for the simple re?s<jn tha by British'law. they.were prohibito; [lOlll selling to the natives eithei arms or spirits. Of course this ele ment of disturbance was not eoniein plated when Ihc joint agreement, wa: entered into, so that Hue Commission [•is had no power to ileal with sucl importations or with the question o acquiring of land. As a consequence o the efleet which naturally followed thi course pursued by the French there arose demand tbotli by Britain ant Australia for a J.and Court.to dea with disputes and record titles, alst for the. appointment of a British Rc sident, and the equalisation of trad in? conditions with respect to arms alcohol and other articles. In April 1001, a further Anglo-French agree ircent was entered into whereby ii was arranged to appoint a Commis sionito settle the," disputes of.the re spcctive nations in the Islands wit! respect to property. Apparently mat (ers have not. improved, as l we lean by cable from Melbourne that 01 Thursday last the House of Represen latives had passed a series of reso lutions practically urging the Britisl Government to acquire the Islands nnd in the meantime to secure th< immediate establishment of a join [and Commission so constituted tha' i!s decision would Ije just, promp 'nd effective. There is no qucstioi 1 hat British ownership,of | the Nev Hebrides would.be a benefit to Aus :ialia and New Zealand, and woub ',c in the best interests of the natives That there would be no friction witl •he French population is more thai likely, but if France would retin rom the field it would not he Ion; rfore the effect of, the new regimi vould 'be such: as would tend to ; icaceful solution of the present trou 'lies, especially; if|. the territory Wen governed on New Zealand lines. 1 would almost seem I hat the presen is a most opportune moment for ne ;otiatlng with France in the direc rion which is urged by Australia. Th •ordial relations which exist betweei Britain ami France should prove o *ood service towards discussing tin matter in an amicable spirit, it bein always understood that the interest ijf the French set t lei s would not hi unduly interfered with unless nude ?ravo provocation. At the same tini it would (V incumbent on Australia not to raise any impediment in th way of a friendly agreement. Any as sumption of bush-ranger tactics wouli Ire fatal to success. If the Imperia Government can 'be inductd to entn into negotiations with France for tin 'eding of the New Hebrides they must lave recourse to the suavity of (|iilomacy. There may be, and probtbly are, grave difficulties in the way )f success, but, they are not insuperable, and it would be a matter for >ardonablc jubilation if the. en.leavmr to settle thi» vexed question and cmove the present friction was to be rowncd with success.