PACIFIC RELATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19608, 9 April 1927, Page 15

PACIFIC RELATIONS.

BRANCH OF THE INSTITUTE. FORMATION IN AUCKLAND. COMMITTEE APPOINTED. A meeting of those interested in the formation in Auckland of a group affiliated with,the Institute of Pacific Relations at Honolulu was held at the University College on Thursday evening. Mr. W. R. Tuck presided, and explained that advantage had been taken of the presence in Auckland of Dr. G. H. Scholefield, Parliamentary Librarian and general secretary of the New Zealand branch, to establish a group here. Mr. W. H. Cocker emphasised the need of forming such a group to stimulate interest in the institute, and outlined some of the work which such a group might do. Dr. Scholefield said one of the chief supporters of the institute in New Zealand had been Professor J. B. Condliffe, who had recently been appointed research director at Honolulu, and it' was very desirable that the work commenced by him should be carried on. A group had been formed in Wellington, which had already commenced an investigation in effects of inter-marriage between Maoris and Europeans in New Zealand. In addition to research, the groups might also make a study of Pacific problems generally, and arrange lectures on topics relating to the Pacific. He regarded it as of great importance that a strong group should be formed in Auckland, because this city had extensive commercial relations with countries in the Pacific, and it was desirable that knowledge of economic! and political conditions obtaining in the Pacific should be increased. <

The meeting resolved to form a group in Auckland, and a committee to make preliminary arrangements was appointed, consisting of Professor Burbidge, Dr. Hilda Northcroft, Mr. T. Bloodworth, Hon. G. M. Fowlds, Mr. L. A. Mander, Mr. J.' Shearer, Mr. Tuck and Mr. Cocker. The question of arranging a delegation to the forthcoming conference at Honolulu was referred to this committee.