GUARDING THE PACIFIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13485, 11 May 1907, Page 5

GUARDING THE PACIFIC.

SPEECH BY SIR JOSEPH WARD. London*, May 9. Speaking yesterday, at " the Imperial Conference on the question of the British Government guarding its Pacific interests, Sir Joseph Ward said that New Zealand was under the shadow of a great country, th§ United States, that did not flv the British, flag. He felt most friendly-disposed towards the United States, still future development in the Pacific, with the opening of the Panama Canal, and the increased traffic between Canada, Australia, and *ew Zealand, rendered it essential that tTie British Government should not relax its efforts to keep points of vantage in the Pacific Islands. He deprecated the loss of Samoa, which possessed- a splendid, harbour, and was controlled by another nation. New Zealand hall control ol a number of the Pacific Islands, and Great Britain's policy should be to ensure acquisition of the remainder. He urged that all conventions with foreign Powers affecting the Pacific should be submitted to Australia and New Zealand before settlement by the Imperial Government. He referred to the New Hebrides question, and said it was certain that if the colonies had been first consulted the position there would now be entirely different.