PEACE IN THE PACIFIC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16737, 19 May 1922, Page 9

PEACE IN THE PACIFIC.

SIR JOHN SALMOND’S VIEWS (Special to the (t Star.”) WELLINGTON, May 18. Sir John Salmond, as the guest of the New Zealand Club, gave a large j gathering to-day an important insight ] into the relation of the Washington j Conference to New Zealand interests. I He showed that the Pacific question is largely a Chinese question, and that the self-denying compact of the Great Powers in regard to that great country is a guarantee for peace in the Pacific. On tho point whether the naval compact reduces New Zealand’s responsibility for naval defence, he gave an emphatic negative. “ l don’t think,” j

he said, 44 there is one line in the Washington Treaty which would justify any colonial Government in saving a penny on naval defence.' Tbo question of how much any portion of the Empire should spend in the defence of the Empire has nothing to do with the provisions of the treaty. The duty of the dominions L clearly to bear their i fair proportion of the total expendii tore on the defence of the Empire, and ! that proportion is in no way affected | by the fact that the absolute amount j of British naval expenditure has been [ substantially reduced. I am satisfied I that the Dominion of New Zealand in I particular recognises, its moral obligai tion to bear its fair share of the buri den, which is a serious burden lying most heavily on the overburdened British taxpayers. We have acquired deservedly a reputation as one of the most loyal, most British, most reliable oi his Majesty’s Dominions, and T am satisfied we shall continue to bear that reputation, recognising our obligations to Britain notwithstanding any temptation that may he afforded by the M asliington Conference. THE NEW ZEALAND. One of the ships destined for destruction under the naval compact,” continued Sir John Salmond, “ is tho New Zealand, which came within the definition of capital shipe, being over 10.0(H) tons. She would hare died in any case. She would have rusted into obsolescence in the course of a few years, and we can view with equanimity the more glorious course which now presents itself of being offered as a deliberate sacrifice in the cause of reason and of peace.” (Applause.) THE PACIFIC TREATY. Sir John Salmond pointed out that even more important than the recorded results of the Washington Conference was that, the association of the Powers m that gathering must produce international trust and understanding. He was particularly satisfied that the Urnte<[ States, Japan and the British Empire had been united in bonds of mutual trust. The Pacific Treaty had replaced the Anglo-Japanese alliance, winch had outlived its usefulness and had been the subject of jealousy and misunderstanding with the U nited liu tt’ • ° r , . ero wa * s 110 question that tin* ( nited States regarded that allianoe as a menace to them. J( was a source of groat gratification to them that for the old alliance was substitute! an agreement between four Powers that in all matters affecting their territorial possessions in the Pacific thev will act in consultation and harmony Tho ( bine so question is the essence of the whole Pacific question.'’ declared the speaker. “ You mar ask what was the necessity of holding n. conference to deal with Pacific questions wherein lay the possibility of a breach of international peace. The only answer T can give is that the Pacific question was the Chinese question. T have indicated that the disorganised condition of the Chinese Empire was a. source of jealousy, discord and ill-will between the Great Powers who had territorial or industrial ambi- ! tion s in that part of the world. T think the treaties made have got rid of that trouble and have laid tho foundations of peace in our quarter of the world for many years to come.** (Applause.)