LIFE OR DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1921, Page 5

LIFE OR DEATH.

DESTINY IN THE PACIFIC.

IMPORTANCE OF DISARMING. VISION OF WORLD PEACE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright London, July 21. Mr. W. M. Hughes was the guest of the American Luncheon Club, at the ■ Savoy Hotel. , Mr. Wilson Cross, oil magnate, pre- ; siding, said the invitation to the Wash- ; -ngton Conference made it fitting that : Mr. Hughes should be their guest, j America and Australia were the great! democracies of the world, and had much ■' . the same ideals. These young demo-' crscies, having no ancient feuds nor pre-i judices to overcome, must be looked toi for the salvation of the world’s affairs. u^ies * alter an ovation, said: 1 “I know well* American citizens in Lon-1 don are watching with intense interest • the progress of those negotiations initiated by President Harding, which we hope will lead to disarmament and peace. War has taught us that isolation is incompatible with the modern circumstances of nations.”

Every nation was dependent on others and affected by what they did. Neither Australia’s remoteness nor the American traditional policy could keep the effects of war from them. America had invited the nations to come to her home and discuss the greatest problems the world ever faced. There were many points of likeness between America and Australia but she was great and Australia was small. She had over 100 million people; Australia had' 5 millions. Australia was now what she was 90 years ago. She to-day was what Australia would be in a hundred years They had the same language, enjoyed the same literature and ideals, which meant so much.

Mr. Hughes said that if the Washington Conference was not to produce the same Dead Sea fruit as the League of Nations it must take cognisance of xhose principles which meant much between men and between nations. Certainly it could not hope to get what the world desired out of it, unless the great Pacific problems were faced frankly and cleared out of the way The great objective of the conference was to get i America, Japan and Britain to disarm, but this was impossible until the disturbing factors in the Pacific were removed. A conference to discuss these questions must be held first and, on that conference, Australia and New Zealand must be represented. “Australia can never forget that out; of the Pacific will come whatever ourj success or failure in the future has in store for her,” he proceeded. “Out of, the Pacific will come for us life or death. For America and Australia the . Pacific holds vital Interests. Now comes ■ the invitation to Washington to discuss ■ disarmament. All the peoples of the world are groaning under the burdens of war and the weight of armaments. I say joyfully this is good news. Men have turned to each other saying 'there shall be no more war? This iii«*eed is a sign to us. “It is well that nations should meet round the council table with a view to ending the suicidal policy of rival armaments. It is well also to remember the difficulties standing between mankind and their desire. It is not enough that they meet, if they cannot agree on some' practical scheme which they are prepared to give effect to. Thia is not easy, as it is hedged round everywhere by difficulties.”