Thoughtful Summary by University Lecturer

Australia's Place In Future Pacific

THE University of Sydney is slowly becoming Pacific-conscious. Earlier this year, the Vice-Chancellor, Sir Robert Wallace, introduced a series of Pacific Talks and he expressed the hope that these talks would arouse interest amongst the students and would ulti mately lead to the establishment of a School of Pacific Studies at the Univer sity.

In a recent address, Mr. w. Maze M.Sc.. of the Geography Department’, discussed Australia’s part, in relation to Pacific affairs. He pointed out that it is now generally accepted that future peace in the Pacific will essentially hinge upon:— (1) A free and independent China (2) Some means of enabling Japan to take her proper place among the nations of the world. (3) The ultimate establishment of an Indonesian Federation.

The question then arises, how does Australia fit into this framework? Mi- Maze said that Australia is politically immature. But that should not prevent her from playing her proper part in the future of South-eastern Asia. Should Australia, therefore, give up her “White Australia” policy?

Mr. Maze argued that the admission of coloured peoples into Australia would certainly not solve the problem of over populated countries. Space is no longer the essential feature of prosperity, and opening Australia’s doors to other races would not depopulise South-east Asia, in view of Australia’s limited capacity.

MR. MAZE suggested that Australia could help South-eastern Asia by maintaining a free-trade policy.

thus establishing a closer and friendlier economic bond with all the countries lying in and around the Pacific. In the post-war period, Australia should in crease her industrial activity, rather than revert to the simple economy of a prim ary producing nation.

The problem of markets would natur ally arise. Mr. Maze pointed out that, geographically speaking, the north Paci fic markets would be dominated by the United States; but South-eastern Asia including the South Pacific, should be come Australia’s region of economic activity. Prior to this war, only a small fraction of our exports found their way into the Pacific, most of our products being diverted to Britain. In post-war economy, the reverse case should hold good.

MR. MAZE suggested that Pacific affairs should be controlled by an international body, for the benefit of all those nations interested, otherwise conditions will gradually deteriorate, until a state of chaos is reached, similar to that found amongst the Balkan States of the present day.

Mr. Maze then showed a slide, indi cating relative distances from Svdney to the various parts of the Pacific, and from that it was evident that Australian interests may be naturally concentrated in South-east Asia.

Mr. Maze concluded by saying that in order to take her proper place among the Pacific nations. Australia should first of all see to it that, in the near future, she is developed, both culturally and eco nomically, to a much greater extent.

Onlv then will Australia be able to undertake her responsibilities in South eastern Asia.—“R.D.”