PACIFIC RELATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19719, 19 August 1927, Page 8

PACIFIC RELATIONS.

CONFERENCE A3* HONOLULU

GENERAL PARTICIPATION. STRONG BRITISH GROUP. PLANS FOR PERMANENT WORK. BT J. B. CONDLIEFE. The presence of a strong British delegation "was qih'te the outstanding feature of the second conference of ihe Institute of Pacific Relations. This delegation participated fully in every aspect of the conference and equally in the committees which considered permanent Organisation and policies. The constitution drawn up for the institute was signed at> the final meeting of the Pacific Council by Sir Frederick Whyto for the British group as well as by representatives of the Dominions. This constitution will now be presented for ratification to the various national .councils. Throughout its discussions the council was greatly helped also by the wisdom and experience of Mr. Lionel Curtis, so that in the end the constitution is a product that should be very acceptable to the British communities interested. - i The continuing nature of the institute was clearly indicated not only by the careful plans for. future work; but by the presence of aany members of tbe previous conference. This was especially noticeable in the Japanese group. Generally speaking, however, the personnel of the conference was much more representative and influential than at the first conference and this was reflected in all the discussions. There was at times a slight tendency for a few people to take a semi-diplomatic view of their functions; but President Wilbur's unfailing humour and common sense prevented them from being taken too seriously. The conference remains absolutely unofficial, educational and informal. At School Together. In his opening speech, Sir Frederick Whyte pointed out" that he had been placed by the seating committee at the same double desk with Dr. David Yui, the leader of the Chinese group. China and Britain, he pointed out, were going to school together. Later Sir Arthur Currie spoke eloquently of the rising "bell, the fixed lesson hours and the homework, but rendered thanks for the absence of examinations. As the president pointed out, an institute that can submit a great general once again to school discipline has achieved something unique. 4 ' In a later article something will be said concerning the plans for permanent organisation the conference just ended divided interest with the actual conference discussions and were regarded as even more important. The programme was arranged by a committee, presided over by Mr. Tsurumi. Sir Frederick Whyte, Sir Arthur Currie and Professor Blakeslee (who was chairman of the last Programme Committee), were among its members, while Professor Kilpatrick was coopted as an expert in discussion method. A sustained effort was made to make the group discussions represent real co-opera-■tive thinking. The round, tables were carefully divided, the cliairmen were coached in procedure, and discussion was, in all but a few cases, kepi strictly to the point. . This was more possible beoause oi the great amount of prepared material. Each group brought data, papers amd experts who could present, data material. Each member carries home with him books and printed and mimeographed papers sufficient to, last for months, if not years, 0! serious- study. The quality ot this terial naturally varies; but some of .it, notably a series of Japanese studies oi population and food supply, is both new and important. improved Methods. The Programme Committee was able, therefore, after sorting out the mam topics for discussion, to insist that the Round Table chairmen for each subject make a preliminary, survey, set down hait-a-dozen leading questions and supply detailed references to available sources ot information. The result was that the discussion was constantly being referred to the actual facts as stated in autnoriiative sources. There was Jess wordiness and exposition of general ideas than might have been expected. ,1., It may reasonably be claimed that the conference was justified and that its technique was considerably improved. - ine more personal effect of bringing toge i 150 people of various nationalities ai points of view in pleasant personal frien - ship is incalculable. Everything depends obviously upon the character and importance of the people who are mutuali. influenced. It is not too mu<ch that many influential people were gat I at the conference just ended, butwork of the institute will not be property effective until it gathers together impo ant people representative of ah s interests and schools of thought inThe accession of the British group is encouraging, but there still ' s „ treaty-port " point of view of the China hand." If, as it is hop -, ; 0 next conference can be held, or in Shanghai itself, it should be p * to get this important point 01 adequately presented. Absence of Russians. I . An even more important gap at .|^ s conference was the absence ot ; n None of the Central or -South countries was represented at ns , Sconce, nor were Java and I'lctic China. These are by ' lo ,™ pan ; ' Pac ;_ interests to be reckoned «'uli m > Upl'ieve fie, but the leaders of the institue in the principle of-walking >c i> ac jfTc attempt to run. r lhe Institute Relations has apparently come t , i,ts early conferences Wil ' " t hcv: experimental and incomplete; _ • will be justified if out of them * n tinning organ of international standing can in due time be de\el 1 •