THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14391, 5 January 1911, Page 6

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

BRITISH OR AUSTRALIAN P. Press Aseoci»tk>n—By -Tel.—Copyright. ?.■■ • -:"-.- SYDNEY. Jan. 4. The' "Sydney Horning Herald" states that an iSportant movement is afoot with a view to having the: office of High Commissioner of the Western Pacific removed from Fiji to Sydney, the proposal being that the position shall eventually become a Commonwealth instead of on Imperial one. .It adds." that the question, it is understood, has already received the attention of the Federal Government, but it is realised to be a somewhat difficult task; to induce the British authorities ?b recognise, that Australian interests in the Pacific have absorbed and outgrown Imperial interests. The.■ "Herald " says:—"We. can only regard the Pacific as the natural barrier between ourselves and Asiatics. We have all along, argued, what is row admitted to. be a fact, that questions of geography-make Fiji a most undesirable place for residence for the High Commissioner.- Now that the Isla.ids are being recognised as promising fields for. the planter, there is all'the more need that a definite policy should be pursued right through the Pacific, and the. Commissioner should be so placed that he can control such policy at any point of its application. Sydney is such a natural centre, and with improvement in communication-its c?avms wll be the more obvious."