PACIFIC PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1919, Page 5

PACIFIC PROBLEM.

- ULTIMATE RESULTS. SATISFACTORY TO AUSTRALIA. Received Jan. 31, 8.15 p.m. London, Jan. 29. Sir Joseph Cook is hopeful that the ultimate results of the Peace Conference will he satisfactory to Australia. He confesses that he is not enamoured of the policy of mandatories in the Pacific, but believes that when finality is reached nothing untoward will be decided as far as the Pacific is concerned. It is difficult to understand the practicability of the mandatories policy anywhere, but particularly in the remote Pacific, inasmuch as the mandatory power will presumably be subject to the League of Nations, whose constitution is unknown, powers undefined, and its policy unguessablc. Anyhing short of direct control would be for Australia and Britain a leap in the dark.-—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc.

MR. HUGHES' INSISTENCE. AT VARIANCE WITH PRESIDENT WILSON. Received Jan. 31, 1.35 p.m. New York, Jan. 2D.

The New York Times' Paris correspondent states that the one representative at the Peace Conference who is most insistent that the British Empire should annex the German colonies outright is Mr. Hughes. He is a frank and outspoken man who doesn't hesitate to express his opinions, sometimes to the embarrassment of the powers that be. London, Jan. 29.

Mr Hughes strongly opposes President Wilson in his plan for the internationalisation of the colonies, but despite this both struck up a warm personal friendship. They are able to discuss their differences without constraint.

The President argues that internationalisation of the islands would free Aus. tralia from the danger of invasion. The President may not oppose the Australian administration of the islands. A correspondent points out that with Australia and New Zealand demanding part of the German islands and Japan the others President Wilson is placed in a difficult position and may give way.—Aun. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

INTERNATIONALISATION. MAY BE PREFERABLE TO ANNEXA TION Received Jan. 31, 0.15 p.m. New York, Jan. 29.

Mr Tuohy, the New York World's Paris correspondent, referring to the German colonies, says Australia naturally wants to hold the captured islands in the Pacific, but Australia may find it difficult to decide whether she would not prefer President Wilson's scheme for intemationalisation of the islands if that also entails the removal of Japanese control from the Marshalls and Carolines.— Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc.

JAPAN AGREES WITH ALLIES. Tokio, Jan. 28. The Japanese Foreign Office announce* that there i.s perfect agreement between Japan and the Allies regarding the future of the Pacific Islands—Aus.-NZ. Cable Assn Loudon, Jan. 29. Ths Morning Pel's Paris correspondent states that it is highly provable that at tn-morruv/'s conference it will be. proposed that the mandatory system apply generally to the colonies and other o'K-upN-d territory nutsidp Ivirope, ?ho that delimitation powers be defined by the League of Nations--Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A COMPROMISE LIKELY. Paris, Jan. 29. The Australian Press Association correspondent states that the council was occupied all day in considering the question of Poland.

The Imperial Cabinet member!!, with the dominions' representatives, dismissed colonial questions in Ihe forenoon. The dominion representatives urged energetic action in their interest. It is believed the Amer'.ean delegates are not entirely unanimous regarding the incernationalisation of the conquered territories, ar.d possibly a compromise will be readied by which the territories will forthwith be handed over to the nations interested, with a reservation in favor of giving the league of nations some voice when the league is a fait accompli. French nev/spapera deciara that the British Government -,viil firmly adhere i to the position tint colonies captured by the Dominions, should corns within the control of the Dominion:-, concerned. "I am unable,'' the correspondcriit says, "to confirm this view from our own representative:-, but other information strengthens the ilr.v that America has weakened on her pievioiin attitude.' 1 The council resiures (he coi .«jsl discussion to-morrow.—Au°-. '€.','. Cable Assoc

AUSTRALIA AND Td.U COLONI2G. ".o:u"..i!i, Jan. 29. Gen era i "vfaiirles ad-b: Australia particnlsviy feels r.tronjly t'r.at undisputed possession is i!>c only r-u/jpexvation obtainable for use jr<-e,-,t w<t sacrifices. Bi'.t it H not beyond hope Chat she would eorrriri to lift the question to s\ higher plane and reeop-niw ihai her iegi'lmata aspirations v.'iil be 7ii';t if she '-; appointed Irvilee 'for the ?eac-je. Britain is prepared to sot a good example regarding ihe Cameroon.-, .r.d Tojphir.d by Riving France thj trn-itocship If Australia a*epptr> the iea;r>U''s principles and aha*"s indisputable, ch.i.-js, it v. iil the dilfic.'lt problems ci iSnropean ;:eU!oaier.c ee?.!e.* of soiuUon TIIO.--.9 who are disponed to magnify the obstacles to the ieagre'i realisation are watching t'.iseassions o?i this subject closely. Tl-.s Daily Paris correspondert ■writer, tot t:;o,i; !i Jli'Tvonite. (Parisian daily paper) dc-cli-'-s that the British, "cl-jniat demands r.re brutal pretenaiiiv; to which President WiNon will never agree, it is understood thrt the Air.fricpn de'ppalcs are considerably impreaoed by Mr, Hughes' and General Eotha'a Etatcrntntu. Possibly several more eittinjrs 77111 be necassary before the question b ssli'.sd.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

AUSTRALIANS SUPPORT MR. HUGHJSS. v DEMAND FOR INDEMNITY, m i Received Jon. 31, 11.55 p.m. London, Jan. 29.

I Anglo-Australians are following Mr. [ Hughes' fight on the question of the I Pacific Islands with intense interest, especially the soldiers on leave. A crowded meeting of the War Chest Club, at Aldwych Theatre, passed a resolution that \pvcry Australian soldier approved of Mr. Hughes' determined fight, and that Auntralians to a man would stand behind Mr Hughes' claims for the retention of the islands, which are essential to our safety, and to Germany's payment of a financial indemnity covering Australia's war costs. The attitude of leading AngloAustralian business men and officials is snmmed up in an article in the Evening Standard by a well-informed Australian, who says that New Guinea is an economic and strategic key which secures the hegemony of Australia in the south Pacific. The Commonwealth, in this crucial time, must establish her defensive outposts.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association.

INTERNATIONALISM NOT WANTED. Received Feb. 1, 12.10 a.m. London, Jan. 29.

The Standard says that from every city and bush township in Australia a unanimous shout has gone up that Australian garrisons must remain in New Guinea. Despite the mere theories of the neutrally inclined delegates at the conference, the New Hebrides remain an awful example of the curse of internationalism in the Pacific.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. Wellington, Jan. 31.

The following official report, dated London, January 29, has been received by the Government: Sir Joseph Ward attended a special conference of British delegates to the Peace Conference and British Labor representatives! including Messrs Barnes, Thomas, and Henderson, who are giving attention to a tentative scheme to regulate international kbor The scheme aims at securing the establishment of international minimum standards. The immediate- objects include the appointment of a preliminary commission by the Peace Congress to inquire into the question of international adjustment of labor conditions, also the creation of a permanent bureau with a council drawn from Britain, Franco, America, Italy, and Japan, and 'arranging conventions. The principal practical aims inolude prohibition of night work for women and children.

Sir Joseph Ward explained the advanced labor conditions in New Zealand as regards protection of women and juvenile workers, and also the social legislation. The' conference appreciated the explanation. The conference ia not concluded.