Confederation ?

A South Pacific Confederation ?

THE suggestion that the peace settle ment in the Pacific should make provision for a “Dominion (or Terri tory) of British Oceania,” representing a federation of— Australian Territory of Papua Mandated Territory of New Guinea British Protectorate of Solomon Islands Condominium of New Hebrides British Crown Colony of Fiji British Protectorate of Tonga British Colony of Gilbert and Ellice Mandated Territory of Western Samoa New Zealand Territory of Western Samoa With a possibility of including French Colony of New Caledonia French Colony of French Oceania American Territory of Eastern Samoa and enjoying a considerable measure of self-government, has been received with interest by residents of the various Ter ritories. The “PIM” has received many letters on the subject.

Generally, the approach to the subject is wary, however. It is recognised that selfish interests are involved. The reac tion of many people is not “What will be best for the Territories and their peoples?” but “How will this affect me?”

The plan naturally is frowned upon by administrative officials generally, because, as was stated in the “PIM” in December and January, it “would mean the with drawal from Pacific Territories adminis tration of the dead hands of Canberra.

Wellington, London and Paris.”

The outstanding argument in favour of such a South Pacific Federation is that all these Territories have the same prob lems of tropical administration (agricul ture, settlement, commerce, transport, protection of natives, native education, native health, transport, defence, com munications, etc.)—problems which are little understood and almost invariably muddled by the various non-islands Governments now responsible.

Sir Henry Milne Scott, KC, writes from Suva to inform us that the Legislative Council of Fiji, in 1921, on his motion, after lengthy debate, agreed:— “That in the opinion of this Council (a) the interests of the Empire in the Pacific would best be served by a Confederation of the British Islands of the Western Pacific governed and con trolled from a common centre: (b) that this resolution be transmitted to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, respectfully asking his approval."

The resolution was transmitted accordingly; and that was the end of that.

We shall deel with this matter exten sively—especially the several weighty objections to the plan—in an early issue.