One can scarcely hope that in our time the world will be so advanced that there will be no cause for such cynical remarks as that conferences are hopeless and even cause more trouble than they settle. Even nowadays they do undoubtedly do some good and there is reason for displaying interest in the following Router message "All states bordering the Pacific have been invited to the Pan-Pacific Conference on Commerce, to be held at Honolutu, in October, to discuss a wide range ci problems, ' including communications, transport, development and conservation of national resources, finance, investments, und international relations throughout the Pacific area. The number of states invited totals 20 and includes severa, South American states, Japan, China, Sium, Canada, Australia, Nev? Zealand, the Malay' States, North Borneo and the Dutch East. Indies. Although the State Department at Washington is transmitting the invitations, it has emphasized that the conference eust. not he considered as under the auspices and patronage of the United States."
This is the fourth of a_ series of conferences called by the Pan-Pacific Union, the others having been meetings of scientists, educators and journalists, respectively. The promoters are modest and hopeful in equal parts, for they assert that, while brilliant discussions develop in these conferences, leading to important programmes of action, nevertheless, perhaps the most. valuable result coming from these gatherings of the leader's of the Pacific is the forming of inter-racial friendships—friendships which may have a vital in-
cordial relations amon; nations fluence in developing cad reser themselves." It Will be admitted that science and education are advancing in Pacific countries: we shave heard something about newspaper circulations increasing: there are hopes under the fourth head of the conference series, for, being human, we are all necessarily
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.