PACIFIC RELATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 20572, 26 August 1930, Page 13

PACIFIC RELATIONS

* * WORLD PROBLEMS INVOLVED LECTURE BY MR J. 6. ANDERSON The problems confronting countries which border on the Pacific were comprehensively treated last night in a lecture delivered by Mr J. G. Anderson at a meeting ot the Dunedin group of the Institute of Pacific Relations. Tho meeting took place at the University, and ivas presided over by Dr W r . N. Benson. Taking as his subject ’The Pacific and W’orld Problems,’ Mr Anderson stated that the history of the Pacific fell naturally into four periods. Prior to the sixteenth century it was practically unknown to Western Europe, and the discovery of tho New World first brought Europeans to the mainland of America. For the succeeding two centuries the Pacific remained virtually a Spanish lake, but the end of the eighteenth century saw the definite , establishment of the European Powers on the Continent, and_ brought to a close the second phase of its history. The Age of Steam ushered in the' third phase, bringing the Pacific definitely into world history. Tho latest era might be said to date from the opening of the Panama Cana! in .19.14, which brought the East more closely than ever into contact with the West-

Of all the problems confronting the Pacific Powers at the present time perhaps none was more important than tho Manchurian question. It was a very difficult situation—consisting of a complex intermixture of many factors, political and economic—and yet its successful solution might prove to be essential to the maintenance of the peace of tho world. After a lengthy review of the Manchurian position Mr Anderson went on to say that it would appear that economic co-operation in the development of this great country—-on the part of China, and Japan—would be infinitely more advantageous to both parties than fratricidal strife. The chief problems which faced China to-day were essentially problems of transition—of adaptation to constantly changing conditions—complicated enormously by her external relationships. China was manfully endeavouring to evolve order out of chaos, to work out her own political salvation, and the difficulties which confronted her were greatly enhanced by the fact that tho architects of her future had not the law and order which would simplify their colossal task. Tho country resembled a. mighty treasure ship lying derelict, inviting the attention of pirates. What China needed above all else was tho disinterested help of the Rowers in her endeavour to establish an intelligent and benevolent government and to create an enlightened public opinion. Tho meteoric rise and development of Japan to a coveted place among the groat world Powers must ever remain one of thojnost remarkable events in history. With astonishing success, said the lecturer, her people had adopted the most efficient ryul approved elements of Western civilisation. Tho victory over the forces of Russia, costly though it was to a young country, had established Japan as one of the most important of tho Pacific Powers, and had been followed by the peaceful pontratiou of the vast derelict empire of China. Side by side with her phenomenal development the population of Japan had increased by leaps and bounds, she was faced with two very serious problems, which threatened her very existence—population and food supply. The speaker went on to deal with tho relations between Japan and tho United States of America, stressing tho effect of tho Immigration Act and tho need for harmony between the two nations.

Even a cursory survey of the history of tho new world, added Mr Anderson, afforded ample justification for tho .view that the mantle of imperialistic Britain had fallen upon the United States, which had been guilty of more arbitrary aggression—doubtless urged by economic pressure—against the liberty of alien peoples to manage or mismanage their own affairs than any European Power during the nineteenth century. Her annexation of Hawaii—a valuable strategic tyisc—Cuba, tbc Philippines, Panama territory, her relations with tho Central American republics, her systematic robbery of Mexico, and her intervention in South American politics all pointed to her illconcealed ambition to achieve economic and political hegemony in tho Pacific. One of her present-day problems was tho demand of the Philippines for complete independence. But while they wished this, they were not wanting in appreciation of tho benefits they had enjoyed from American suzerainty. Tho speaker then dealt in detail with relations between tho United States and tho Philippines, giving tho views of those supporting each side on the question.

The main problem of Australia, he continued, was largely of a domestic nature—viz., the development of the country in such a way as to equip it for a population reasonably commensurate with its resources. It was generally admitted that with adequate development tho continent should be able to accommodate—assuming the present standard of living—at least 20,000,000, three times its present population. The “ White Australia ” policy was then dealt with, especial reference being made to its roliectiou in the sugar industry. Tho lecturer said that, though geographically ono of tho Pacific countries, New Zealand was so United up by sympathy, commerce, and tradition with tho Mother Country tiiat tho average New Zealander evinced little active interest in the people of the Pad lie, which was regrettable. Our attention was, however, mainly directed to the Pacific; in regard to our mandate over Western Samoa. Since assuming this responsibility New Zealand had shown energy and enthusiasm in her efforts to improve the social and economic conditions of tho Samoans, and to train them in the difficult art of self-govern-ment. Tho Samoan question received interesting treatment by the lecturer, who said that he was inclined to think that the trouble which had recently occurred was duo to tho fact that from the taking over of the mandate New Zealand had been too lenient with tho natives of Western Samoa.

Problems which at present, were very press in;;, and which, in his opinion, would become more so in the I'uturo, wore given by the lectin er as follow: Pacini factors, tho resurgence of Russia, and the industrialisation of tho Orient. The view was put forward, in conclusion, that them were three predominant Powers in the Pacific with important .and vital issues at stake— Japan, tho United States of America, and Great Britain. A recent writer had said: “The problems of tho unification of mankind and the evolution of a political system that will afford tho fullest liberty of development to each national unit must bo worked out in tho East. The process, depending as it does mainly on commercial intercourse, will inevitably ho slow, hut we arc probably safe in saying that (ho first arena, for its solution wi 11 bo tho shores of tho Pacific.” A hearty vole of thanks, proposed by Dr W. .1. Mullin, was passed | 0 the speaker after a. short discussion had taken, place.