PACIFIC RELATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 49, 26 August 1926, Page 11

PACIFIC RELATIONS

WORK OF THE INoTrTJTE

VISIT OF THE SECRETARY.

The general secretary of the Institute of Pacific Relations, Mr. J. Merle Davis, is at present in Wellington, having arrived from Australia on his way .back to. Honolulu. Mr. 'Davis brings highly encouraging news of the progress of- tho Institute of Pacific Relations movement in Canada, Hawaii, Japan, China, and the United States. Outstanding leaders in the civic, commercial, academic, publicity, and Labour circles of these countries are active in their respective institute branches, and are making preparations for the 1927 gathering, which takes place in HonoInlu in July.

The institute has been founded to carrjf on research upon the underlying causes'.of racial friction in the Pacific, to widely disseminate the findings of such research, to conduct occasional conferences for the exchange ,of opinion and points of .view upon problems of mutual concern of the Pacific peoples. The Institute of Pacific Rela-. tions is in no sense an official body. It has no connection with any Government, and derives no authority from any Government. It does not aim to make recommendations on courses of action to Governments or other organisations. It seeks to impose no programme, advocates no specific policy, and champions no special interest. It is solely concerned with the gathering ■of accurate, provable facts on great Pacific issues, and with the. bringing of these facts to the attention of the peoples of the various countries concerned. It hopes iv this way to throw light upon vexing international problems and to increase understanding and friendly relations between the peoples of the Pacific.

Honolulu has been chosen as the centre for the Institution of Pacific Relations and its conferences because of its many' advantages as a centre for international gatherings. Its geographical location : makes it a natural meeting ground for poople of the various Pacific countries. Also Honolulu is free from Btrong local controversies affecting international affairs, and thus delegates .to the conferences can meet there with ■ a maximum of freedom for their deliberations.

■'•■ Two branches of tho Institute of ■Pacific Eolations have already been formed in Australia —one in Sydney and j;ho other in Melbourne—and Mr. -Davis, has been instrumental in the formation of a very active branch in Ohristchurch. From Auckland Mr.' Davis returns to the headquarters of 'the institute at Honolulu, completing a six' months' circuit, in which he has visited Japan, China, tho Philippines, and Java, in addition to Australia and Now Zealand.