THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 March 1919, Page 8

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

Jffi. HUGHES A3SD ME. "MASBE-g--1 IN DISAGREEMENT, Paris, March 15. Mr Murdoch states that important, discussions have begun regarding the Pacific Islands. The funeral uiterpretatioii of the mandatory theory is that three classes of mandates will be prepared. The tir-st will be for governing intelligent peoples, as an instance Arabia; the second, for cannibalistic natives, including .East Africa; the third, for territories where internecine warfare prevails. The Australasia mandate for the South Pacific falls under the last bead. The main points of the discussion are the wisdom of permitting fortifications in the South Pacific islands, in view of the certainty that similar rights will be strongly claimed for the northern isI lands.

Secondly, should Britain insist on the promised clause providing that the territories shall become integral parts of the mandatory countries whenever the inhabitants choose or present .a petition claiming union? Thirdly, should Japan be given identical mandates for the ChrolincK and Marslialls? In view of the strong and clamorous Japanese demand the position is too delicately poised for comment. New Zealand seems prepared to forgo point 1. Mr Hughes is vigorously pressing point 2. and considerable feeding has been aroused over the violence of his representations The delicacy lies in the fact that the British l>e]ieve that if the right of fortification is given to Australasia over Samoa and the southern island? the same Tight must be given to Japan.—Aus-N.Z. Cable Assn- ' Paris, March Mi. On 'he subject of Mr Hughes' claim to the right to fortify the southern Pacific islands the view held by Messrs Lloyd George and Balfour and Lord Milner is that it is better to accept a general agreement and not fortify than to grant a similar concession to Japan for the northern islands. Should President Wilson insist on the incorporation of the League covennnt jr. the peace preliminary the discussions may come to a head, hut otherwise the point" will not be decided for a "onsiderablo time.

The second cl*=s mandate rigidlv apnlies the principle of the open door, the third permits the closed door. Nauru Tsland. for which Australia wonts a mandate, possesses almost unlimited supplies of Tiho.-phfites most valuable for Australian agriculture Tt will he rememltored that Mr TTnglies am! Mr Massev presented separate memoranda claimins a mandate.

Lord Milnor's memorandum puts a strong British view, stating that there are ample supplies of sulphuric acid, which is necessary for making phosphates into superphosphates fertiliser which is growing more precious to British fanners. It is true that an Australasian garrison is now on the island, hut it is paid from the local revenues supplemented from Imperial funds.

Lord 'Milner urged that the island lie attached to the Tiritish croups and adniit!>.ler?rl hi- the High Commissioner for the Pacific. This course appears most likely to lie adopted, unless Messrs Hughes and Massey can reach a reasonable agreement wherobv Australia will jrer :i mandate on condition New Zealand ?ets staled quantities of phosphates yearly. Mr Huubes uncompromisingly presented a further memorandum setting nut that Australia wrested the island From the enemy and maintained a garrison tlmughout the war. This has not imnres--ed the delegates, who declare the "wrest.insr" consisted in merelv Inndin? f r om a whaleboat. Tt is hoped Messrs T-TugVes and Vfa.ssey w ; l! aoroe to n ioint representation. T he Australian mandates certainly include a provision that German pronerties shall he takon over and have their value added to Germany's reparation fund and be counted as part of the Australasian share of reparation.