EXPLOITING THE PACIFIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 195, 15 February 1912, Page 5

EXPLOITING THE PACIFIC.

EXTENSION OF AMERICAN SHIPPING ..... ___ ■ 1 WHEN THE PANAMA CANAL IS " OPENED. ,

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, February 14. Mr. MeGowen, Premier of New South Wales, referring to the advantages Of the Panama Canal, said that Sydney was n.ow the terminal point of the American lines. Two new lines were projected, of which Sydney * would be the headquarters, and when the Canal was cut American shipping and enterprise would be very busy in the Pacific. Mr. MeGowen added that shortly before Mr. Seddon died he announced his intention of approaching Mr. Deakin, the then Prime Minister, with a view to preventing American expansion in the Pacific. Nothing more was heard of this, and the probability was that Mr - Deakin, who extended the invitation to the American fleet, was indisposed to fall in with Mr. Seddon's suggestion, which was a very strange one for such a long-sighted politician. Apart from the direct benefit to be derived from rapid transit and participation in the fruits of the American trade through the Canal, it must add to the security of Australia to find American interests mounting up in the Pacific. Australia had nothing to fear from the Stars and Stripes.