A DAY AT HONOLULU.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 215, 11 September 1928, Page 17

A DAY AT HONOLULU.

PEACE IN THE PACIFIC.

WORK OF THE INSTITUTE.

MR. W. J. JORDAN'S VISIT.

"Honolulu is truly a wonderful place," writes Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P., to the Auckland "Star," while on his way to the Parliamentary Union Conference at Toronto.

"Visitors came aboard, bringing long necklets of sweet-smelling flowers, which they hung upon the ladies. The flowers perfumed the whole deck. Honolulu is a busy American town, with a cosmopolitan people. Profes or Condliffe met us and motored the party around the district. The residential parts are like a huge park, no dividing fences between the houses, no front fences or hedges, unless they be flowering and ornamental plants. The grass footpaths are mown, and as most of the white population have motor ears, and the natives and Asiatics are barefooted, the grass plots are not affected by traffic. Petrol is 21J cents, approximately lid, per gallon, and cars are cheaper than in New Zealand. "We inquired the price of building sections in the 'residential area, ana learned that it ranged from 40 to 70 cents per square foot, thus a section 50ft by 100 ft, at 50 cents per square foot, would cost 2500 dollars, about £520. Fortunes have been made from the sale of building land during the last 20 years. We were shown a plot which was bought 15 years ago for 1400 dollars, and since sold for 35,000 dollars. The roads are in first-class order, especially those used by the military and naval forces.

"The Central Union Church was formed by an amalgamation of certain Congregational, Presbyterian and other Protestant peoples. A huge temple, with a tall spire, was erected. Several pairs of double doors form the sides. These are opened in the warm times while service is being conducted, so that practically an alfresco service is held. Small fans are as general in use as hymnbooks. The fans are the property of the church, and stamped accordingly. Notwithstanding this evidence of considerable heat, we were informed that the temperature rarely rises above 80 nor falls below 68, the average being about 72 degrees. An Important Work. "We visited the headquarters of the Institute of Pacific Relations, and were impressed with the importance of the work. They seem to draw aside from the Old World and its ways, and study the internal and international affairs of the Pacific peoples. These problems are considered from new angles; there is an effort made to understand; interests are recognised which were not hitherto; men and women who are not politicians or financiers are considering the welfare of peoples of different tongues, and. representatives are called into conference who were prveiously ignored. The institute is undoubtedly destined to play an important part in future international affairs, as the peoples of the awakening Far East will have confidence in the institute, being, as they are, represented at its gatherings. The world will look to it for information which win*'assist in dealing with great problems, information which is gathered by peaceful investigation and conference, and which should be more effective than thai from conferences between peoples held to deal with difficulties wnett conflict and hostilities exist. "The troubles, difficulties, and aspirations of a people are sympathetically considered and studied. It suggests other avenues of activity. We need an institute to study the welfare of those engaged in industry, not as economic units, but as social units, performing social service in their ordinary vocations, where the effect upon the nation of unemployment and business anxieties will be considered as they affect some of its number. "There are great problems to solve in order that international, inter-racial, industrial and social peace and goodwill may be established. We met the founder of the Institute of Pacific Relations, Mr. Atherton, a successful and large-hearted business man. The industries of Honolulu are pineapple and sugar culture and entertainment of visitors. Scores of thousands of dollars are spent annually by the private companies, as well as by the Government Department, in-scientific research, soil and pest difficulties have been overcome, regulations, are stringent against taking fruit ashore, lest a trouble should be introduced. The Department of Agriculture will. supply certain true plants to the inhabitants free of charge, as the use of the plants serves to attract and conserve moisture as well as beautify the district.

"The aquarium in Kapiolani Park is about five miles from the city, and contains about 100 varieties of fish, most of them brilliant and' varied in colour and pattern, and peculiar in . shape. . The hotels are magnificent and well equipped. We were informed that the charges at the foremost hotels are from £2 10/ to £10 per day for each person. The whole Island is fortified. Pearl Harbour is a naval base, and a military force is also there. Lessons for the South Seal. "It is interesting to recall that the British Government was asked to annex the Hawaiian Islands, but refused. It is a garrison in the Pacific. It is also a place of beauty and grandeur. The beautiful Kapiolani Park, the Royal Palace of the former Queens of Hawaii, the great terraces with the many waterfalls, Mount Tantallus, the historic Pali where the famous, king drove his enemy over the thousand feet cliff, and the famous Waikiki beach, with its renowned surf bathing, are outstanding features. Diamond Point is a mark to mariners. It is associated with many "tales of the sea." Honolulu also has many other places and scenes of beauty which all combine to make it known as the "Pearl of the Pacific." "Some day our South Sea Islands will develop and become holiday resorts, as well as produce in greater quantities those goods which the world requires from those climates. There are great tasks to be dealt with by those who are to be in control of the Dominions in the South Seas. A lot may be learned from other places, both what to do and what to avoid. We gazed upon the luxury which some enjoyed at Honolulu, but as we saw the mass of native and foreign population who do most of the manual work, we prefer the lands which we represent, where the luxury is less and the average standard of lviing much higher."