AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1918, Page 5

AUSTRALIA.

I THE PACIFIC ISLANDS. **PfIRT OF INTER-STATE COifMISSIOX. deceived April 26, 7.50 pm. Melbourne, April 26. The Inter-State Commission's repor* to Parliament on British and Australian trade in the South Pacific says the present eoatrol of the Islands by the British Crown lacks cohesion and systemIt suggests that the question is ripe for settlement whether some federated control should not be devised at an early flats. An authority might be established with but a slight change, if any, hi tfce respective Gorerntnents of the ■ several tracts in the Pacific, but with powers of supervision and co-ordination not at present possessed. Such authority would not be subject in any way to the Commonwealth Government, but to the IJigh Commissionership of the Pacific, held or not held in conjunction with the office of Governor-General of Australia. This would be a suitable kernel from which such a representative •night form a Pacific federation which might naturally grow. Federated control should preferably have as its central Mat the natural rendezvous of most of the Pacific trade and shipping in Sydney. Fiji was not central for administrative and commercial purposes. The Commission suggests that, in order to ensure a timely settlement of the question by the Government, a con. joint inquiry hv representatives of the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand should be undertaken. The report directs attention to the ndoessitv for abetter international agreement regarding the Sew Hebrides, and the importance of solving the question of an efficient supplv of labor and developing the trade of the Islands. The Commission is satisfied that without considerable subsidies it will be impossible fn the future to develop the inter-Island trade, or that with Australia and other parts of the Empire If Australia could consume a substantial proportion of the output of copra, she would have no difficulty in controlling the Island trade. The Commonwealth could, with considerable advantage, afford to allow nearly all the production of the Islands be admitted free. TH report advises that the attention of the Imperial Government should he directed to the serious necessity for Australia retaining British rights in the Isand of Mauru, whether Iv its transference to tbt British Sag or guarantees against any violation of its commercial status before the war. The report generally indicates the scope for developing cattle-raising, coffee, cocoa, tapioca, vanilla, and every tNpbd production in the Islands. BED CROSS DRIVE. Receive* April 21, 9 pm. Sydney, April 29. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed over the Red Cross drive. The city was crowded. Although somewhat marred by th« rain, the afternoon promises to j he a huge success. A procession of V.A.D. workers carried huge flags whereon money was liberally showered. Nearly £90,000 Is in hand.' FEDERAL NO-OOSFTDEWE MOTTOV. Melbourne, April 26. Mr. Todor's no-confidence amendment «r*s defeated by M Totes to 18.