The Commonwealth of the South Pacific

Missing from my list is Papua New Guinea. There are many reasons for this, but the main one is that their future lies in achieving a union with West Irian.

Tahiti, New Caledonia and Vanuatu rule themselves out because of their allegiance to France, but a change of their status would be welcomed at any time.What are the benefits of the Union?

Firstly, it will create a strong and sustainable nation of the Southern Hemisphere covering a vast area of the South Pacific. It would have the capacity to form powerful trading relationships with Indonesia, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and Brazil in expanding the economic power of the Southern Hemisphere. It will also have the scope, as well, to greatly develop trading relationships with Asia by being one entity.

Secondly, the existing economies of New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific are actually complimentary to one another and are capable of greater specialisation.

Lastly, all laws would be progressively rewritten to suit a new nation, meaning that vital economic reforms could be implemented at long last without the pointless procrastination that thrives now.

A name for the new nation will be a subject of hot debate. My choice - Pacifica.

Its flag can be the Southern Cross alone.

Parliament could be located on Norfolk Island with Government Departments spread throughout all major cities. Canberra would be reborn as a major regional inland city which could be fostered as the new nation’s centre of technology.

A national anthem would be determined after an international competition of composers.

This Union of Nations would create the opportunity for Pacifica to become a Republic with no relationship to the British Crown except one of goodwill. The way to make the change would be to invite Prince Harry to be the nominated President for the first decade, after which his successor would be elected by popular vote. By that time, we will be thinking nationally, not parochially, and won’t be overly concerned if a Samoan Chief is elected.

The concept of a Commonwealth of the South Pacific is not without parallels elsewhere. There is a fledgling movement afoot to start talks on a merger of Germany and Poland, a step that would create a mighty nation within Europe.

This means that we have nothing whatsoever to lose by starting some talks on the matter.

Could I conclude on a very serious note by stating that the new nation would be able to field the greatest Rugby Union team the world has ever known?