Ownership of the Pacific Islets

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 60, 12 March 1938, Page 3

Ownership of the Pacific Islets

BRITAIN MAINTAINS HER ' RIGHTS TO PHOENIX GROUP (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, March 9. In the House of Common* the Prime Minister, Mr Neville Chamberlain, referred to the discussion last year with the United States Government in ukich the United States contested the validity of the British claim to the Phoenix group of islands, in which < aiiton and Enderbury Islands are situated, and declined to recognise the British Order-in-Council of March 18. iiwu * Mr Chamberlain added that the British Ambassador to Washington, Sir Ronald Lindsay, had been instructed to inform the United States Govern inent that the British Government could not regard the juiidical situation as an any way affected by the recent M-tion of the United S.ates, which included a landing on Cant on Island. 1 his island had been effectively occulted by the British Government on August 5, 1937, and an administrative oflicer now resided there. fcir Ronald Lindsay had been instructed to add that *the British Government maintained all its rights to the Phoenix group. Mr Chamberlain saia it was intended iu the immediate future to submit proposals to the United State which, it was hoped, would serve as a basis for ending this controverjy in a manner satisfactory to both parties. The Australian Associated Press understands that Mr Chamberlain’s declaration that Britain does not recognise the United States'* juridical claim Enderby and Canton Islands doe 3 not mean that Britain intends to retain the islands; on the contrary, provided the United States admits* Britain's legal position and agrees to concede ■the British Empire trans-Pacific airroute rights, Bri ain will concede the 4 o America.