THE DOMINION IN PACIFIC AFFAIRS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3835, 23 August 1928, Page 4

THE DOMINION IN PACIFIC AFFAIRS.

PRIME MINISTER’S VIEWS

on the international aspect of Rotary aims, the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) speaking at a luncheon of the Wfanganui Rotary Club on Monday, referred to the various treaties and agreements affecting relations between the nations bordering on the Pacific. Among other things 'Mr. Coates dealt with criticism concerning the Singapore naval base, and at the conclusion prodicted a wonderful future for the Dominion and the lands in its vicinity. New Zealand, he said, was particularly anxious that there should be a proper international outlook among the countries of the Pacific, and to that end this Dominion was playing an increasingly important paid. New Zealand was vitally interested in international relations, and she would have been very much more satisfied if the United States had become a member of the League of Nations. The Dominion would always welcome any move to create good feeling and close co-operation betwe_en the countries of the Pacific.

Mr. Coates mentioned three great organisations which were making for harmonious working in the Pacific. They were the Institute of Pacific Relations, the Pan-Pacific Union and the very much less formal movement of Rotary.

Mr. Coates referred to Honolulu as the point at which a number of prominent Pacific movements were centred. At the present moment, a women’s conference, at which New Zealand/ was represented, was in session there. He also referred to the Cook Islands’ anniversary at which New Zealand was represented. In 1021-22 New Zealand had taken part in the Washington Conference. He referred to very important matters—the four-power Pacific treaty and the Washington treaty, for the limitation of armaments. The Washington treaty embraced the United States of America, Grept Britain, France and Japan, and under .it the four nations had agreed against war among themselves, and further, that there could be no outside interference without the four combining to oppose such action. NAVAL DEFENCE. The next treaty was that of the limitation of naval arms in the Pacific. Naval bases were dealt with particularly and provision was made for the defence of the four Powers. In no sense could this defence be interpreted as offence. Another important point in connection with the four-power treaty had been the restriction placed upon the fortifications.

“We often hear criticism regarding the Singapore base,” said Mr, Coates, “but that criticism comes from uninformed sources. The Singapore base was one of the fortifications agreed to under the fourpower treaty, and Japan signed the treaty knowing that.” Continuing, Mr. Coates said that it had been forsecn at the conference that the British Navy was for the whole of the Empire, and he contended that without the Singapore base it would never be possible for capital ships of 10,000 tons to take part in protective measures for the portions of the Empire which were located in the Pacific. “Ii you realise that Japan is as far from Singapore as the United States from Europe, you get some idea of the distance that Japan is from the Singapore base,” said Mr. Coates. He referred to New Zealand’s contribution of £1,000,000 towards the Singapore base, stating that it would not have been fair to have continued asking the Mother Country to carry the load when the Dominion could commence to carry sonic of the burden. NOT A THREAT.

“Too much importance cannot be laid on this fact,” said Mr. Coates, “that Singapore, as far as Japan is concerned, is in no sense a threat, but a precaution against war in the Pacific. The relations between the British Empire and Japan are excellent and never have been better. Indeed, it was a pleasure to New Zealand as a whole to show some small measure of hospitality, and to demonstrate the good feeling that exists between the two countries, during the visit of the Japanese training squadron to New Zealand. We do not forget Japan’s action during the late war.”

The trade agreement between New Zealand and Japan had only been signed after the British Government had been consulted, and was in no sense an indication of a breaking away by New Zealand from the Empire.

Turning to relations between the 'United states and New Zealand, the Prime Minister said that these were of the best, and he saw no reason to suppose that they would not continue so. Except in the ease of China a happy state of affairs existed among the countries bordering (lie Pacific. jHowever, China seemed to be settling down to a definite system of Government such as would permit other countries extending good-fellowship and good feeling. A BRIGHT FUTURE.

In conclusion Mi*. Coates said they looked forward to more good tilings in the future of the pacific than ever there had been in the old world. The Pacific countries were capable of enormous development and held a treasure house for the peoples of the world. “In the calculation of time, New Zealand is young,” said the Prime Minister, “but I think that everyone who has

studied history recognises what a good future wc have down here. We have this to undertake, anil that is to build up a strong, wellequipped nation, which can take an interest in world affairs and endeavour to do all possible to avoid strife and war. On the other hand until the day comes when we can depend upon organisation to prevent wars I hope we will never he found wanting if it comes necessary to defend our people in these efforts of the Pacific.” (Applause).