PROBLEMS OF PACIFIC

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 19, 22 July 1933, Page 12

PROBLEMS OF PACIFIC

COMING CONFERENCE

FAREWELL TO DELEGATES

Three of New Zealand's delegates to the conference of the Institute of Pacific Eolations in Canada —the Hon. W. Downio Stewart, Miss M. Scaton, and Mr. H. F. Yon Haast —were entertained at afternoon tea yesterday by the local branch of the Institute. The fourth delegate, Mr. Walter Nash, left for Canada some days ago to be presentaj. executive meetings in connection with the conference.

In bidding farewell to the delegates, Miss N. E. Coad, president of the Institute, expressed the hope that the conference at Banff would be a happy and successful one. They were very fortunate in having .as one of their dologates Mr. Stewart, who was an old hand at conferences. His nanie was already well known not only in Canada but indeed in all parts, of the world. By sending delegates of Mr. Stewart's type New Zealand would win for herself a place on the map. Mr. Nash, Miss Beaton, and Mr. Yon Haast were also very capable delegates,, and ono wondered what the Institute in Wellington would do without Miss Seaton. Tho Institute of Pacific Relations was a very unique body in that it consisted of Representatives of all the countries round the Pacific, and she felt that the coming conference was being held at a momentous time in the history of the Pacific. It appeared that they were, at the beginning of a new era. There were many important problems looming on the hori zon, and she did not think that the countries of the Pacific could afford to overlook them. The conference at Banff was going to be a very important one, and the delegates would be asked to discuss most difficult problems. Mr. Stewart, who was received with applause, said ho was afraid he had not been a very active member of tho Institute, although ho had once written a paper for it. What the fate of that paper had been he did not venture to guess. Ho thanked the Institute for its hospitality and tho very great honour it had done him in asking him to proceed to Canada as-one of the delegates. He agreed that the conference was a most''important one, and. he hoped that it would prove,a profitable one and of benefit to New Zealand and the countries of the Pacific. Tho Institute of Pacific Belafions was purely educational in its work, and had no Governmental power. It had no power to give effect directly., to any decision it might arrive at. .Miv Stewart remarked that at the moment' he was resting in the political backwater, and it was his intdntion to remain there at least until he had left New Zealand. 'The conference would bo a change for him in that they would be discussing other people '6 problems. "It is always easier to discuss other people's problems than your own," said Mr. Stewart. The problems which the conference had to discuss were of outstanding importance, and he had to confess that up to the moment ho had not devoted very much time to a study of the problems. However, lio was hoping to be able, while on the ship, to devote his attention to the mass of pamphlets ho had been provided with. Dr. Guy H. Seholefield said ho' was glad to be able to inform members : that Mr. Frank Milner, who was at present in Canada, would join up with the New Zealand delegation, and it was also hoped that Mr.-H. P. Richmond, of ■Auckland, who was tti England, would also act. as a delegate.'.-. . Miss Seaton,) who was presented with a handsome bouquet,, and Mr. Yon Haast also responded. While expressing his pleasure at acting as a delegate, Mr. Yon Haast expressed his regret that Dr. Scholefiold and Miss Coad were not acting, Dr. Seholefield had a particularlywide knowledge of,the problems of the Pacific, and woußhave.been a most valuable delegate. He hoped that it would.be possible : for him; : to act. at the next conference. : ;,;."■• ;