PACIFIC AIR BASES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 27 February 1939, Page 6

PACIFIC AIR BASES

New Zealanders will be alertly interested in the statement made by Mr Malcolm MacDonald with reference to action by the Colonial Office in establishing officials on certain Pacific Islands hitherto regarded as of little importance (comments the “N.Z. Herald”). The plain fact is that both the development of civil aviation and the arising of new necessities of defence in British territories on this side of the world have given such islands a great national value by virtue of their situation. So long ago as Kingsford Smith’s great flight across the Pacific in 1928 this possibility was envisaged: he looked to the main island (Canton? i of the Phoenix Group as an emergency alighting place on his course from Hawaii to Fiji. Within recent years the United States Government has taken steps to occupy Howland. Baker and, Jarvis Islands, in that vicinity. With a I view to locating air bases; the first two are on the northernmost edge of the Phoenix Group, and the third is a little eastward of them. British ownership ot them could not be easily ] disputed, but acquiescence in the Ameriean action apepars to have been manifested by the British Foreign Office. With Canton Island, however, the position is different; by agreement. Britain end the United States will hold It as a joint trust for a period of years, and necessary details of administration are being worked out. Mr MacDonald’s! statement refers particularly to the j adjacent British groups. Gilbert and Ellice, but it may be that the Vote of £7500 he mentions is intended, under that heading, to achieve an official Brl- | tish occupation of Howland. Baker and Jarvis Island In place of the American, in accordance with a revised understanding. This Interpretation Is subject j to further word from the Colonial 1 Office. Whatever be the details of i the arrangement, this Dominion, sharing responsibility with the Colonial Office for administrative oversight thereabouts, and naturally anxious for a wise handling of the strategic problems now emerging, is interested in any plans that may he contemplated.