PACIFIC NATIONS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20330, 1 September 1931, Page 11

PACIFIC NATIONS.

DELEGATES MEETING IN

CONFERENCE.

MR J. E, STRACHAN DISCUSSES ACTIVITIES.

Comment upon the activities of the Conference of the Institute of Pacific Eolations "was made by Mr J. E. Strachan, who was the guest of honour at a complimentary luncheon given by the Canterbury Progress League at Ballantyne's yesterday. Mr Strachan has been selected by Sir James Allen to act as liis representative on the Pacific Council and as chairman of the Now Zealand delegation to the biennial conference of the Institute of Pacific Relations to be hold in China.

Tho gathering was a representative one. Mr C. Flavell, vice-president of tho League, presided, ancl congratulated Mr Strachan on bia appointment. Tho Mayor, Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., added similar good wishes. He said that Mr Strachan was a man in whom there was revealed all tho best citizen qualities throughout yoars of servico for tlio Canterbury province as a great schoolmaster, a splendid president of the Canterbury Progress League, and a thorough and willing worker for many provincial and City organisations. lie had made himself known throughout Now Zealand as a champion, of Canterr bury. Referring to tho Institute of Pacific Relations, Mr Sullivan said that it was doing a great work in dealing with the relationships botween nations and countries bordering on. the Pacific. The time would come, he said, when the centre of the political world would shift to the Pacific. It was a great thing to como together at such conferences and discuss the problems with which each of the countries was confronted—emigration for instance. Mr Strachan was well equipped for such work by reason of his scholarship, his high character and idealistic qualities, and would certainly bo a worthy representative of the Dominion.

Reasons for Conference. Mr G. Lawn, chairman of the Canterbury group of the Institute of Pacific Eolations, said that ho was sure that Mr Strachan would make a notable contribution to tho discussions at the conference in China. In tho light of the mass of data prepared by tho research worltors upon tho subject of Pacific problems the conference would be of the utmost importance. It might be asked why at such a period of economic stress at home, New Zealand was sending representatives to such a round-table conference as this. However, in these day? of international inter-dependence it was moat important that the Dominion should play a part in tho moulding of any policy. There were great changes going on in the East to-day which jaust have repercussions in New Zealand, and a round-table conference would give countries a bettor knowledge of prob? lema. It would certainly result in a more intelligent publio understanding.

Hound-Table Discussions. "The technique of round-tablo sions can well bo developed in this country," Mr Lawn added. "I do not know any better method of elucidating political or economic differences or furthering industrial relations. The more we a«lopt it the greater value there will be secured from conferences. lam certain of that." Mr H. S. E. Turner, president of the Chamber of CommOrco, on behalf of that body added his share of congratulations and good wishes. He said that tho problems of the Pacific were of immediate importance to the world and to New Zealand. Ho referred to the growth of civilisations around. Caspian Sea, tho Mqditcranoan Sea, tftd Atlantic Ocean as instances. The people of Now Zealand should realise that they are part of tho Pacific and "will have to play their part in its development. That must bo obvious to anyone With any historical sense,

Immensity of Pacific. Mr Straohan, in replying, said that ha would always be proud and very conscious of the fact that he was representing New Zealand. He felt sure that tho many problems that confronted the Dominion would appear far more easily capable of solution than some of those with Which other countries of tho Pacific wore faced. 'la New Zealand tho tend' ency had boon to forget the geographical position of the Dominion. It was part of the community fronting on to the Pacific which embraced half the population of tho globe. "There are great movements in the East to-day," Mr Strachan continued. "There is to be trejnendous ireoriefitar tion of trade and commerce in tho future, and in that we have to be prepared to take an active part. China is rapidly modernising and it is understood is going to take a very active part in tho economic development to come. Russia is a Pacific country that has yet to establish herself as a trading country and whatever view bo taken of her politics we cannot ignore that fact. "We must ascertain tho facts and be prepared. "The Institute of Pacific Halations is not an amateur diplomatic body. It is not a League of Nations. Its technique, ideals, and objects are entirely different. It can be compared with a Pacific University in which each active member is a scientist, economist, or man of affairs, and its object is to get at the facts. It is not to formulate policies for countries but it makes available facts concerning. Pacific problems. By such research it is hoped > that those bodies Which are diplomatic will be better able to formulate policies.

Economic Relationships. "At the forthcoming conference there will be a great deal of work done dealing with economic relationships. We are suffering to-day from mal-distrlbution m(?re than anything else. There is nothing wrong with the production but there are blocks in the way of distribution, and this conference will concert* trafce very largely on those blocks and What thfcy are. There will bo tariff barriers in the Pacific, racial prejudice, and lack of communications and bo on to review. Tho research work Will provide the data for the discussions. "I consider that a fact that should never be lost sight of in such work i 3 the benefit thftt it will accrue fop thp boys and girls of 'he generations to come. Men in public life should remember that fact more, I consider. We have embarrassed them, in part by our lack of foresight and our folly, and havo left them an uncomfortable heritage. The object we wish to attain is the smooth funning of economic, sociul ; and political relations." Mr R. G. Hampton, who is one of the New Zealand delegation to the conference, was present, and thanked the League for its invitation to him to be present, Mr Hampton hope? tg be able to join the Russian delegation and spend some time in fiussia before returning to New Zealand,