The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argua. TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1921. PACIFIC PROBLEMS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14614, 15 March 1921, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argua. TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1921. PACIFIC PROBLEMS

The reference in the GovernorGeneral’s speech to the impending visit of the Prime Minister to London is of the vaguest, and it remains to be seen whether he proposes to rr\ake any statement or invite any discussion on the questions to be considered. The Prime Minister thinks that Imperial questions arc beyond the capacity of the people, and should be left to those who are supposed to understand them. Apparently the leaders of the Liberal Party and of the Labour Party are of the same opinion. They have each tabled an amendment to the Address, and each of them protests against the prorogation of Parliament' during the Prime Minister’s absence. The leader of the Labour Party raises several other points, but does not refer to the Imperial questions in any way. The extent to which the political leaders permit themselves to be absorbed in the domestic details of the country is rcgrcttablef We would not have such matters neglected, but it should be possible for the leaders of parties to have some thoughts to spare for questions that will affect our wellbeing for very many years to come. It i? safe to conclude that the question of the renewal ,«of the treaty with Japan is cne of the matters which the Dominion Ministers will be consulted about, and also that the defence of the Pacific will come under consideration. The two questions in fact are closely connected, for there is no possible enemy in the Pacific if Japan be not one, and no reason why she should be an enemy if we arc content to live on terms of emlty. There are questions for discussion between Japan and Britain and between Japan and the colonies, and there may prove to be acute differences of opinion, hut not of a nature to lead to conflict. Britain should certainly make enquiry into the details of the various agreements between Japan and China, l.i which Japan at one Mine attempted to enforce' harsh condition.;, though it is claimed that these have been withdrawn. If China is treated unfairly she will be compelled in self-defence to set up an army. Hitherto she has despised militarism and refused to follow the European custom of national armaments. She will regard it as degradation to depart from this attitude, but assuredly she will do so If too much is demanded from her. An army once formed is not, however, easily dispersed, and in many cases it tends to take charge of the nation. The complexion of the world would be greatly altered if anything ol the kind look place in China. We trust, therefore, that Britain will make enquiry into the details of the agreements between China and Japan, about which China has already complained to the League of Nations. The point which will come before the Dominions is the arrangement to be made with Japan and the defence of the Pacific. The one point in which the Dominions arc deeply interested is that they shall not be subjected to Asiatic immigration on any considerable scale. Japan, on her side, objects to any hard-and-fast line being drawn against her people. It does not seem, however, Impossible to arrange an agreement which shall conserve both these points. The renewal or otherwise of the Treaty is a small matter [compared with the of the good understanding which we have had With Japan for the past 20 years, and this can he done with a reasonable amount of goodwill on either side. The numbers of Japanese who arc to enter I the Dominions can he made proportionals to the number of our people

who settle In Japan, and by that means (ho Immigration will be limited to a number that will cause no objections. The Japanese Government arc far from anxious that their people should emigrate, for they know the risks of complications raised thereby, but they naturally refuse to have them barred on account of colour or treated unjustly when they have settled In any country. I r the negotiations are held In camera and there Is no talking to the gallery by means of an interviewer, there should be no difficulty In concluding a satisfactory agreement. If, on the other hand, there Is defiance and plain talk, and the modern equivalent for throwing down (he glove, we must consider seriously about the formation of a navy in the Pacific, and may have to reckon without much assistance from Britain. The Mother Country sees no possible enemies on the ocean, and has already reduced her naval expenditure. In view of financial stringency she is likely to Reduce it stm further. She may well wonder, in view of a necessity which the Dominions have themselves created, whether she Is called on to take a leading part in defence. The Dominions have hitherto refused to consider closer union, or the formation of an Imperial Council, while at the same time they have looked to Great Britain to do well nigh all the naval defence. We shall be compelled by the force of circumstances to shoulder our part of the burden. It becomes, therefore, an urgent necessity to refrain from creating difficulties by the indulgence of prejudice or temper. There Is a dislike of the old-time diplomatist, and an outcry for open negotiation and the publishing of terms. The last-mentioned demand seems essential, but there are difficulties In the way of open negotiation. The representatives on each side will be tempted b. appeal to the passions and prejudices of the ignorant, and may provoke war in mere wanton folly. The cable has added greatly to the difficulties of arranging any misunderstanding, and the interviewer is, a standing temptation which few popular politicians can resist. It is all very picturesque and piquant, and adds to the sense of our being a great people, but if it is to lead tc the expenditure of so many millions per annum for a Pacific fleet, the luxury is too dear at the price.