ESTABLISHED 1866. The Marlborough Express. SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1920. A WHITE AUSTRALIA.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 198, 21 August 1920, Page 4

ESTABLISHED 1866. The Marlborough Express. SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1920. A WHITE AUSTRALIA.

It is curious reading that the Australian people believe Britain would sell them to Japan. There seems to be no reason for the suspicion, but the feeling does exist. The Sydney correspondent of the Christchurch Press vouches for the fact that there- is in the Commonwealth an uneasy and very widespread feeling that the policy of "White Australia", is in grave danger. This uneasiness has found expression in one or two guarded newspaper articles. It -is pointed out that, whereas Australia expected to receive her mandate for the government of the. captured German territory in the Pacific many months ago, it is not yet to hand. When Mr Hughes came back from the Peace Conference a year ago, he mado several references to the mandate, \^hich indicated that he expected this official authority to follow shortly. Now, it appears, from the careful utterances of one or two Ministers, that Australia need not expect her mandate until it has been approved by the executive body of the League of Nations. Why the delay? The correspondent says that the answer

is provided by everyone who discusses the matter without hesitation. Japan, it is believed, is working through the channels of secret diplomacy to withhold the mandate from Australia until Australia recedes in some degree from her policy of "A White Australia." Japan, it is pointed out, fought hard against tho principle during tho Peace Conference, and, being beaten, promised to try other means to bring about her wishes. There is to bo another conference of the Powers in a couple of months' time, when it is believed that this matter of the mandates will be finally settled. It is being said at Sydney that Australia should have at that conference tho strongest possible representation—failing which the clever and tireless Japanese diplomats may undermine the "White Australia" creed, if not i?i relation to Australia herself, at least so far as it affects the late island possessions of Germany. Mr Hughes and a party are ■ going off to New Guinea this month, to have a look over the captured territory. The newspapers are asking how, if he is going into the Pacific, lie is going to reach Europe in time for the conference—for it is assumed that, if no one else goes, Mr Hughes must go forth again as the champion of "White' Australia." Tho most treasured gem in all Australia's big collection of policies and formulas is "White Australia," and the people there will never give it up. They suspect Japan—, naturally enough, in the circumstances—but they also suspect English statesmanship: