Australia's Lost Opportunities in

the Pacific

AN address on “Mysteries of the Pacific” was given at the November meeting of the Pacific Islands Society in Sydney by Mr. Thomas Danbabin. Aus tralian journalist and author. He said that as far back as 1875. the New South Wales Cabinet urged Britain to annex the South Sea Islands which, later, were taken over by Germany. Another chance came on November 18, 1914, when it was announced that an Australian expedition would assume control of the Marshall and Caroline groups. On November 24, however, the British Government stated officially that it was not considered ad visable that the expedition should go north of the Equator, and the Australian authorities had to agree.

On February 7. 1917. the British Gov ernment asked Australia if there was any objection to a pledge being given to sup port Ja nan’s claim to keen these islands.

Australia offered no objection.

Mr. Dunbabin said that this war might bring even greater changes in the Pacific than did the last war. Already there was talk of re-drawing the map of the West ern Pacific. It was up to Australian to see that the Commonwealth did not again lose opportunities for ex tending its influence in an area that was so vital to her interests. “This time the Australian Government has not told the world about its Pacific plans”, he added.

“Let us hope that Australia will not be caught again so easily.”

Two sweeps conducted at Samarai, Eastern Panua, on the result of the Melbourne Cun in November resulted: Miss Leoni Skelly £6l: Miss Nance Campbell £3O; Mesdames Searle and Lees £10; and Mr. T. Lowney £5l; “Three Jacks” (Misima) £2O; Mr. “Nobby”

Clarke (“Macdhui”) £lO. Profits went to the Red Cross (£l7) and the Samarai Library Institute (£2O).