THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 24

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

ANGLO-SAXON CONTROL NECESSARY. THE JAPANESE MENACE, WELLINGTON, March 3. Speaking at the opening of the Chamber of Commerce Conference, the Prime Minister referred to conditions in the Pacific Islands and to the importance of the islands being under Anglo-Saxon control. In Honolulu; he said, there were 60,000 Japanese, and hot all the power of America could get them out. They could practically run the Hawaiian group. '"I am perfectly aware that the Japanese are good friends of ours. During the war they played the game, but it may be that friends of to-day will become enemies of to-morrow. Now is our opportunity, and we must take advantage of the position fairly and honourably. We must take care that in we do not suffer from the disadvantages we had to face at the outbreak of the war, with enemies at our doors. We must take care not to allow aliens to be established in islands under our control." Speaking of the New Hebrides, Mr Massey said that something should be done and done urgently. One never heard of exports or imports from the New Hebrides, and the condition of the natives was appalling. Joint system of contol by Great Britain and France worked badly, and it was the business of Australia and New Zealand to see that something better was done. He had done his best to arrange matters at Home, but the Peace Conference could not take cognisance of the New Hebrides, as they were not enemy" possessions. For the sake of the natives we should do our level best to put things there on a proper footing.