Notable Men of The Pacific

WHEN, sooner or later, as will inev itably happen, the British-owned islands of the Pacific are brought to gether in one federation, credit for the original idea must go to Sir Henry Scott, K.C. It was at his instigation that the Legislative Council of Fiji, in April, 1921, passed a motion support ing the principle of such a federation; and in the years since then Sir Henry, with characteristic industry and tenac ity of purpose, has urged constantly the merits of such an organisation of British interests in the South Seas. It takes men of vision to be Empire builders to see the possibility of gathering together disunited elements for the creation of a State or Federa tion, and the ultimate strengthening and well-being of the Empire. Sir Henry is essentially an Empire-builder.

If proof of his vision were needed, it is supplied in a report of an interview he granted to The Sydney Morning Herald, and which was published on October 6, 1921. He urged that a new British dominion could be created by the federation of British-owned Pacific Islands. “All these islands have the same problems to face,” he said. “They have the same labour difficulties the same products.” Then he went on to comment on Australia’s amazing stu pidity in deliberately adopting legisla tion (particularly the duties on ba nanas) to drive away Fijian trade, then worth to Australia £1,000,000 per an num.

“Do Australians realise that where our people sell their products, they will buy their goods?” asked Sir Henry. And he made the prophecy that much of Australia’s export trade to Fiji would disappear; that direct steamers, not calling at Australian ports, would go to Suva to load Fijian products and unload manufactured goods for Fiji; and that Suva would grow quickly in importance, taking Sydney’s place as a distributing centre for Pacific trade. Nine years have passed, and every word of Sir Henry’s prophecy has been borne out.

Sir Henry Scott was born in Fiji in Levuka, in 1876. His father was a barrister: and young Scott, after he

had been educated in Australia, also adopted the legal profession, following his father, and building up a very fine practice in Suva, as head of the legal firm of W. Scott and Co. He was called to the Bar in Fiji in 1899. Ever since he settled down in Suva, 30 years ago, he has devoted himself to the ad vancement of the interests of the Col ony, and can claim no small share of credit for Fiji’s marvellous development and growth. He acted as Attorney- General on many occasions, and was president of the Suva Chamber of Commerce from 1908 until 1922. He was a member of the Executive Coun cil of Fiji for many years, and repre sented Suva in the Legislative Council for lengthy periods. He was Mayor of Suva for seven years, from 1915 to 1922. He held a commission in the Fiji Volunteer Force, and was for a lengthy period captain of the Suva Cricket Eleven. In fact, his interests have been, and are, almost innumer able. His activities have always been dominated by his firm belief in the strength and glory of the British Em pire he is a life member of the Royal Empire Society.

Born in Fiji, devoting his life to the advancement of the Colony, it was fit ting that he should also marry into a family closely associated with Pacific interests. He married, in 1900, Miss Nellie Lindsay, fourth daughter of the late Rev. W. W. Lindsay, who was chairman for many years of the Metho dist Mission in Fiji. For his out standing services to the Colony and the Empire, in the New Year Honours for 1928, he was created a knight. Few men have done more to merit the dis tinction. —R.W.R.

During the year 1928-1929. the pro jected amalgamation in the Mandated Territory of New Guinea, of Kavieng and Namatanai was effected, under the title “District of New Ireland.”

There are now eight Administrative districts, namelv; Aitape, Sepik. Man dang and Morobe. on the mainland of New Guinea: and New Britain. New Ireland, Manus and Kieta, comprising the insular portion of the Territory.

Sir Henry Milne Scott, Kt., K.C., of Suva, Crown Colony of Fiji