University

Pacific Affairs

"Quiz" at Sydney University

TJ/ITH the conclusion of the third term at the University of Sydney, a “Pacific Quiz” was held, in which Pro fessor Harvey Sutton (School of Tropical Medicine), Mr. Black (Economics Depart ment, and well-known commentator on the ABC network), Dr. lan Hogbin (lec turer in anthropology), Mr. Barrie and Dr. McDonald answered questions sub mitted by the students.

“Civilisation” And Work

r E first question asked was about the indentured labour system. The questioner thought that this was the best means of acquainting the natives with the meaning of European civilisa tion.

In his reply, Dr. Hogbin again denied that the indentured labour system brought the natives any closer to under standing European civilisation. He said that, generally speaking, the Administra tion firmly believed that this was the most satisfactory solution. Anthropolo gists, however, did not approve of the idea, the reasons being that (1) the natives learn little, if anything, about European civilisation by working on a plantation, and (2) from the purely tech nical point of view, the nature of their work is more or less of a routine char acter, teaching the natives very little and being of little use to the natives on their return to their villages.

Nz In The Pacific

rE next question, as to what part New Zealand’s economy plays in the Pacific, with regard to markets, etc., was answered by Mr. Barrie.

He said that for further development, NZ needs markets. It is unlikely that these needs will be satisfied in the old world. Consequently, NZ should endeavor to play a bigger part in the post-war economy of the Pacific. This would help to develop her secondary and tertiary industries, and this also would help to establish greater economic stability in the Pacific. From past mistakes we have seen how much economic stability means when it comes to the point of maintain ing peace in the Pacific.

Japan’S Staying-Power

Japan face a long war, in view \j of her relatively weak economic and industrial resources?”

This question was answered by Dr.

MacDonald. He said that, strategically speaking, Japan’s position at the moment was quite sound, for one must also con sider the vast resources she has gained through her conquests. However, in the long run, the resources of the Allied Nations would prove to be more exten sive and this, together with military action, will lead to Japan’s ultimate defeat.

Dr. McDonald believes that responsible quarters in Japan are aware of this fact, but hope that, if they fight long enough, they can secure a compromise peace; and then, having recovered sufficiently and reorganised their armies, they can extend their “co-prosperity sphere.”

Medical Services

Professor Harvey Sutton Was

asked about medical services in the Islands. The questioner expressed the opinion that, with good medical ser vices, over-population may result.

Professor Harvey Sutton said that medical services in TNG were largely paid for by the gold-mining industry.

Up to the present, depopulation was pur problem, and not over-population, and many years will elapse before the ori ginal level will again be reached. Once more, we must appreciate that increased population does not imply over-popula tion in the world of to-day, and that these natives form a good natural defence ring around Australasia, from the purely

strategic point of view.-

R.D.