The Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, JULY 11th., 1927. PEACE IN PACIFIC

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 July 1927, Page 4

The Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, JULY 11th., 1927. PEACE IN PACIFIC

The holding of conferences to further world-peace, has become so frequent that their number is lessening their influence, but that is no reason why they should not be encouraged. The special pro blems they handle are vast and intricate. and the wonder should not that they do so lillle. but ilia l • Iley accomplish anything in th’ ■o:;;;' ( ‘d direction. The dc!e;;ale> themselves, are inspired by good indentions, lint they are usually 100 far ahead of (heir lime, and unless public opinion indorses their decisions, the result of the (■oilieris mainly academic.

,\ gathering of special interest to New Zealanders, is, to be held nt Honolulu, this month. Regret was expressed in the Legislative Council, last week, that the Dominion would not be officially rep resented at this conference of the Institute of Pacific Relations. New Zealand will have its delegates but none accredited by tin* Govern ment. Other Pacific countries have chosen notable men Io attend the gathering, which opens on July 15. and the League of Nations is sending two members of the Permanent Secretariat. The programme covers four general subjects, to be developed by separate sections in round table discussions. Those four sections are: —(1) Cultures, Religious. Education and Social Institutions; (2) Resources, Industry. Commerce and Finance; (3) Race and Population; (4) Political Institutions and Functions. Laws and Judicial Procedure, International Relations. Following intimate discussions at the round-tables, where privacy and frankness will prevail, the results will be gathered up in general forum sessions.

Recent developments in China and elsewhere in Asiatic countries have given prominence to Pacific questions, and it is easy to draw fanciful pictures of future horrors and war, when “Asia wakes up.” Although grossly exaggerated, this danger cannot be ignored, and the more the nations of the Pacific know of each other, the more chance is there of preserving peace. This latest conference is a step towards spreading the greater knowledge, and to dispel prejudice. It is seed being sown, rather than harvest being reaped, therefore it would be foolish to expect a great deal of immediate result from the gathering. For instance, how many

of those anxious about unrest in iiie Pacific, know that Japan is one-twentieth the size of Australia and has ten times the Australian population ! How many know that Greal Britain, which has the biggest investment stake of any Western Power in the Asian Pacific, is smaller in home territory than .Japan? Or that China, supposedly a benighted land, has over a thousand registered year-round periodicals in the new vernacular ? With greater knowledge must come greater respect, and more forbearance. Without infringing on definite principles, it should be easy to make adjustments in economic and other policies, to minimise inter-racial friction, and to lessen the opportunities for serious misunderstandings. The Honolulu Conference has a noble aim. and its proceedings should be followed with interest. After all, the Conference is attempting something, which is justification enough for its holding.