Nelson Evening Mail SATURDAY, MAY 12, 1945 GEOGRAPHY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 12 May 1945, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail SATURDAY, MAY 12, 1945 GEOGRAPHY

AMONG the most recent of our learned bodies is the New Zealand Geographical Society, started in Christchurch in 1939 as a branch of the English Geographical Association, but reconstituted as an independent body a year 'or two later. The Society has flourishing branches in all four main cities; it has naturally been hampered in its growth by war conditions, but as soon as we can resume our normal peace-time activities its progress is likely to be marked, for geography is of all sciences the one that makes the strongest appeal to the average man. In the meantime the Society has taken an important step forward by the publication, of the journal ‘Vhe New Zealand Geographer,” to be issued half yearly. The editors are to be congratulated on the excellence of their first production, which obviously owes something in style and format to the English and American periodicals of similar name. The photography is excellent, the articles are authoritative and interestingly written, and there is every reason to expect that the new magazine will attract the general public as well as students with a special interest in geography. “The New Zealand Geographer” is intended to deal chiefly, though not exclusively, with topics relating to the Dominion. It is not possible to discuss fully the articles that make up the first issue, but special mention may be made of one written by Mr L. K. Munro, a very well-informed commentator on world affairs, about •‘The Canberra Pact and the Political Geography of the Pacific.” Most New Zealanders are now becoming more aware of our political responsibilities in the Pacific, and this article comes appropriately at a time when preparations are being made for the final stages in the war against Japan. Mr Munro, after a careful survey of present and future conditions in the Pacific, expresses the opinion that for some time to come the greatest power’ in the Pacific will be the United States, which will claim the right to control numerous island groups where she has already established bases. Disliking the mandate system, the Americans may press for virtual possession of these islands, a claim which Britain need not oppose provided our navy and air force have reasonable access to the necessary facilities. New Zealand, in Mr Munro’s opinion, is too small a country to carry much weight in discussion with

the Great Powers; but New Zealand and Australia combined are sufficiently strong in population and resources to make their voice heard. For this reason Mr Munro defends the Canberra Pact as a necessary and justifiable stroke of policy, though he agrees that its phraseology was in some respects rather provocative. This article, like others in the issue, will serve a useful purpose in clarifying the thoughts of New Zealanders on matters that are of vital import-

The primary aim of the new journal is to be informative, to satisfy the “common curiosity” about New Zealand. Although our country is a small one, and our people generally have displayed more readiness to move about than the inhabitants of older countries, not many New Zealanders can claim an intimate knowledge of all parts of the Dominion. Young as our country is, local differences are already becoming evident, and if ‘The New Zealand Geographer” can bring about a closer appreciation of the other man’s problems, it will have more than justified its existence. Its aims, however, are broader than the mere dissemination of information about New Zealand; its sponsors hope to strengthen the growing interest in geography in general. The troubles of the last ten or fifteen years have brought home to us in realistic fashion the dangers that beset an ill-informed democracy, and geography is one of the subjects in which our ignorance is lamentable. Fortunately this point is now receiving more attention from our educational leaders than in the past. Whereas, twenty years ago, no faciliities for the study of geography were offered in our university colleges, there is now a chair of Geography, with a full honours course, at Canterbury University College, and some provision is made in other colleges as well. In the secondary schools geography is no longer to be an option for the less gifted pupils who find the study of two languages beyond their capacity; it is now one of the subjects of the “common core,” to be taken by all pupils to school certificate stage, although its incorporation with history under the name of “social studies” has destroyed some of its individuality, and in some respects adversely affected its content. The signs are hopeful; but much missionary work is still necessary before geography attains its proper status as a major school subject, and here “The New Zealand Geographer” may find a useful field.