The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-05-06

strangers as the King of FIJI" and recognized
as such by the commanders of American war
vessels, has invested his name with an Importance
which does not rightly belong to it. Maafu,
whose rule is recognized by two-thirds of the
people, and to whom the foreign community
looks whenever the aid or cooperation of the
native authorities is required is about ffty-fve
years of age, a native of the neighboring group
of Tonga, and has lived in Fiji from boyhood.
He is a man of energy and intelligence. has great
influence among the people, Is a warm and
powerful friend of the foreigners, and is a church
member and local preacher. Were it not for the
fear Of offending the American OHicial>,-com
manders of war vessels-Maafu would at once
become King OF the entire group. There would
then be a responsible and powerful head to the
Government, with whom foreigners and foreign
powers could treat, with an assurance that order
would be enforced and treaties and engagements
be observed. The heather tribes of the mountains
would be speedily reduced to submission, and
the rich country which they hold be thrown open
for exploration and settlement.
In September last, a convention of some thirty
five of the principal planters and merchants was
ACA4 oN AA'ahat NbHN ROAN I'VE AN41NA~SN
foreign commerce,) where they met the chiefs of
many of the islands, including Maafu. \ MEM
orandum, setting forth the rights of the settlers
to govern themselves, and STIMULATING non-inter-
ference in the affairs of the natives, was drawn
up, and signed by Maalu, as "Tui Lau,' or
King of the windward islands. and by each of the
foreigners In council. The " TUT Lau > has also
made a contract with a Mr.. Woods, an English
surveyor, to make a thorough survey of harbors,
with a view to the erection of lights, and the
placing of buoys, etc., for the benefit of naviga-
ton. We have seen a copy of the contract, in
which Maafu uses the Kingly 4" We,'' and guar
antees to Mr.. Woods the income for Il term of
years, of the taxes to be levied on all foreign
vessels for the use of such lights, buoys, etc., pro-
viding further for the enforcement of the collection.
This last will doubtless prove easier done on
paper than otherwise, without a Government
which has been acknowledged abroad.
The prompt organization of a stable and Efficient
Government, and the PRONUNCIATION of laws
necessary for the security Of life and property, is
what is needed now in FIJI. And the movement
to this end, in order to be successful without
violence and bloodshed, should be aided by the
and advice of some foreign influential
power. And everything would seem to point to
the United States as the power which should lend
the required countenance and aid to the move
ment. Owing to past events in the history of
the islands, the name of the American Govern
ment is regarded among the chiefs with peculiar
respect. American interests are already large
and increasing in the group, and the foreign pop
with scarcely an exception, would gladly
hail annexation-wlIich of course is out of the
question-Or at least protection to the Govern
ment in its incipiency.
We Of Hawaii mel. cannot but look with solIc-
itude upon the progress in civilization, seh-Gov-
ernment and material prosperity of the rising
of Polynesia. We are in many
their pioneer, and from our form of
Government and social institutions they may
learn, adopting that which experience has proved
to be advantageous in a like mixed society with
their own.a and avoiding the errors into which we
may have fallen.