PACIFIC PROBLEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 165, 15 July 1938, Page 12

PACIFIC PROBLEMS.

LECTURE AT W.E.A.

ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE

A general introduction to the aeries of lectures on economic interdependence 1 r le , Pacific > held under the auspices of the WoiKers' Educational Association and arranged by the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women, was given by Professor H. Belshaw in the W.E.A. rooms last night.

This series of lectures will include a study of China in modern times. Japan in modern times, relations between Japan and China, Soviet Siberia the Dutch in the Pacific, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, migrations in the Pacific, and the struggle for markets.

In his introduction to the subject last night Professor Belshaw spoke briefly on these main outlines of study and in addition he gave a short account of America and her Pacific policy. "American policy in the Far East," he said has been more liberal than that of most other countries."

In opening his lecture Professor Belshaw stressed the point that Pacific trade policy is equally important with European trade policy, i.e., when it is regarded in the light of political affairs. He touched briefly on the main problems confronting those nations who owned colonial possessions in the including Colonial administration, trade defence and migration. The problems of administration lay, he said, mainly in the large percentage of native population. In regard to trade, complication arose, he pointed out, through the tendency of the mother country to grant concessions such as import and export regulations. In the matter of defence Professor Belshaw described the development of the British naval base at Singapore, stating that apart from the vague fear of Eastern invasion of the Pacific the establishment of a stronghold there prevented a blocking of the communications between Great Britain and her Pacific possessions. * In discussing the problem of migration Professor Belshaw explained as a solution to the problems of Japan that even extensive migration would be unsatisfactory. "Their salvation," he said, "lies in industrialisation, and although probably not the primary cause, Japan is now offering this as an excuse for her present invasion of China." "Through increasing and decreasing of jopulation," continued the speaker, "uneven pressure is caused, resulting consequently in changes In the balance of power and political stability, and it is this problem that is affecting to a great extent the Pacific possessions of many countries." At the conclusion of the lecture Professor Belshaw replied to questions of the members. The subject of the next lecture given in connection -with this course of study of the economic interdependence of the Pacific will be China in modern times.