IN THE PACIFIC.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 42, 14 February 1912, Page 5

IN THE PACIFIC.

EFFECT ON AUSTRALIA OF THE

PANAMA CANAL

ENTERPRISE

(Received 14, 8 a.m.) Sydney, February 14. Mr ]\lcGowen, referring to the advantages of the Panama Canal, said Sydney was now the terminal point of American lines. Two new lines are projected, of which Sydney would be the headquarters when the Canal was cut. American shipping and enterprise would he very busy in the Pacific. He added that shortly before Mr Seddon died he announced his intention of approaching Mr Doakin, then Prime Minister, with a view to preventing American expansion in the Pacific. Nothing more was heard of it, and the probability is that Mr Deakin, who extended an invitation to the. American fleet was not disposed to- fall in with Mr Seddon’s suggestion, which was a very strange one for such a long-sighted politician. Apart from the direct benefit derived by rapid transit, participation in the fruit of Ameriacan trade through the canal must be to the security of Australia. They would find American interests mounting up in the Pacific. Australia had nothing to fear from the Stars and Stripes.