FOR THE ISLANDS.

WARSHIP'S INSTRUCTIONS.

"NO POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE."

The Imperial escort vessel Wellington left Auckland this morning for Suva and other islands under the jurisdiction of the High Commissioner of the Western Pacific, Sir Arthur Richards. The Wellington, which is under the com;nand of Commander G. X. Loriston-Clarke, was formerly scheduled to sail to-day for southern ports, but her itinerary was suddenly altered a week ago. Being now without the services of H.M.C.S. Pioneer, Sir Arthur made a request to Rear-Admiral the Hon. E. R. Drummond, Commodore Commanding tiie New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, for the use of one of the escort vessels to take supplies and reliefs on a routine cruise of the islands under his control. Such is one of the main functions of the escort vessels, but it is not usual to make island cruises in the summer months.

Probably the Wellington, which previously figured in an incident of international import at Oanton Island, 1 . the Phoenix Group, when the right to remain in the only known anchorage was disputed by the American naval vessel Avocet, will again call at Canton Island. It was officially stated this morning, however, that there was no international or political significance attaching to the cruise of the Wellington. The Wellington will leave Suva for Auckland on January 28.