PACIFIC ISLAND POLICY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20867, 8 May 1931, Page 14

PACIFIC ISLAND POLICY.

S' r ) With reference to the remarks madp by Major C. B. Joske in Thursday's Herald concerning tha comparative state of development of the Hawaiian Islands and the Fiji Group, it seems to me that the great prosperity of the Hawaiian Islands compared with Fiji cannot be explained by Hawaii being " the one child of doting parents," to quote the words used by Major Joske. Is it not more probable that Hawaii's prosperity is due to the fact that it is developing with the United States as part of the economic entity comprised withirj the tariff walls of the United States? With exception of an embargo imposed by California on Hawaiian fresh fruits to prevent the introduction of disease, there is complete free trado between the United States and its possessions, of which Hawaii is one. The Hawaiian producer is thug assured of a great consuming market for his products and at the same time is able to effect his purchases in the United States where mass production has reduced prices to a minimum. Fiji on the other hand, is endeavouring to develop itself independently of any great commercial country. It is neither assured of any great consuming market, nor aro its inhabitants able to effect cheap purchases in any great producing country, all imports bsing subject to a special Fijian tariff. If Fiji wore included in a tariff union of the British Empire, with Empire free trade, it seems certain that Fiji would be equally, if not more prosperous than Hawaii and would be virtually the sugar and pineapple .producer for the' Empire. An examination of Hawaiian history will reveal that its prosperity only began in earnest when it was annexed to the American Union. When under British protection, as it was prior to this, Hawaii was approximately in the same position as Fiji is to-day. Hawaiian prosperity to-day is the result of free intercourse' and trade with a great commercial country. T. C. Webster.^