A PAINFUL RECORD

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6488, 7 April 1908, Page 6

A PAINFUL RECORD

MISMANAGEMENT AND NEGLECT. BRITISH POLICY IN THE PACIFIC. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, April o. The “Standard." commenting on a, pamphlet embodying a series of articles published by the “Sydney Morning Horald’’ at tho end of last year, dealing with British policy in tho Pacific, says:—“lt is a painful record of Colonial Office mismanagement and Imperial neglect. All talk about Empire during tho last two decades Iras left Downing street nearly untouched. Tho Australian grievances aro actual. Other nations associate themselves with merchants’ and setters’ enterprises, but Britain leaves the merchants to fight their own battles.”

Tho “Standard” cites the history of tho Marshall Islands and the Now Hebrides, but does not attribute the responsibility wholly to the laxity and indolence of the departments. It blames Parliament and the elector ates for being absorbed in party conflicts and parochial cares.