THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1920, Page 5

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

ANGLO-SAXON CONTROL FAVORED. SPEECH THE PREMIER. By Telegraph.- -Press Association. Wellington, March ,1. Speaking at the opening of the Chambers of Commerce Conference, the Prime Minister referred to the conditions in the Pacific Islands and the importance of the islands being under Anglo-Saxon crntrol. In Honolulu tnere were 00,000 Japanese, and not all the power of America could get them out. They could practically run the Hawaiian group. "I am perfectly aware that the Japs were good friends of ours during the war; they played the game, but it may be that the friends of to-day will become the enemies of to-morrow. Now is our opportunity, and we must take advantage of the position fairly and honorably. Wo must take care that in the future we do not suffer from the disadvantages we had to face at th 3 outbreak of the war, with enemies at our doors. We must take care not to allow aliens to be established in the islands under our control." Speaking of the New Hebrides, Mr, Massey said it was urgent that something should be done. One never heard of exports to or imports from the New Hebrides, and t.he conditions of the natives were appalling. The joint system of control by Great Britain and- France worked badly, and it was the business of Australia and New Zealand to sec that something better was done. He had done his best to arrange matters at Home, but the Peace Conference could not take cognisance of the New Hebrides, as they were not enemy possessions. For the sake of the natives we sjiould do our level best to put things there on a proper footing.