“AUSTRALASIA”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18542, 1 May 1922, Page 6

“AUSTRALASIA”

SUGGESTED ABOLITION OF THE TERM. MR A. MOHITZSON S OPINION. IFeom Och Own (Jobeespondents.) WELLINGTON, April 29. The suggestion made some time ago for the abolition of t.he term ‘'Australasia” (which has served for maaiy years as a name to include Australia and New Zealand) is being revived again in the dominion. Lately one or two New Zealanders returning from visits abroad, have stated that in the bracketing of New Zealand in the term “Australasia” this country loses its identity, and that many people not familiar with the dominion think that New Zealand is a State, like New South Wales, and part of the Australian Commonwealth. 'lhe Minister of Industries and Commerce: (the Hon. E. P. Lee), in conversation with a newspaper representative this, morning stated that it was held by those who were urging that the term ‘‘Australasia” be done away with, that in these days of keen trade competition between all countries, New Zealand, which had much to offer the markets of the world, should be called New Zealand, and by no other name. Mr A. Moritzson, a very well-known merchant, who recently returned, to the dominion after several years’ absence in Honolulu, complained to a. Southern journal that the term “Australasia” was too much in vogue in the Hawaiin Islands. When he arrived there some four years ago little was known about New Zealand, the name “Australasia,” he said, should have disap|ieared long ago .as it was over one hundred years since this country was governed from Sydney by Governor Hobson. Even one of our local institutions, that traded to Vancouver, via Honolulu, advertised the “Royal Canadian Australasian Mail line of steamers.” Considering that Australia paid nothing to the subsidy of this lino, and that it was paid entirely by Canada and New Zealand, the company should be patriotic enough, in Mr Moritzson’s opinion ,to call it. the “Canadian-New Zealand Royal Mail Line.” Even the mails in Honolulu, said Mr Moritzson. were advertised to and from ‘‘Australasia.” Since his advent to the islands matters in connection with trade between New Zealand and the islands were changed for the better, in favour of New Zealand.