The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1872-01-03

that BY far the greater number Of the white settler
are British subjects But the consular representa-
tive Of her Majesty had and has no real power 70
the repression Of disorder or the settlement of dis
putcs arising among these people All he can de
pend upon is the weight OF his own personal uflu
cnce, backed-as regards any person who might b
disposed TO be unusually troublesomc-by the drea,
OF possible deportation TO the colonies Al Ct dlmis
on board ola ship Of war. more satisfactory ant
trying situation than that OF the gentleman filling
this post can scarcely be imagined. Before visiting
Lcvuka I had heard Mr. March, the present British
Consul, good deal spoken Of and in various terms
Il was pretty clear, however, that with many Of The
British Leyukans be was decidedly unpopular Or
attempting TO ascertain and analyse the causes o.
this feeling they seemed traceable to one supposed
dlsqualiGeaton-that he was too naughty and ex
elusive. Now let it be understood that Mr.. March
is-by birth, education and habi,s-a gentleman
that his position is as have said most embsrrass
ing one with SO many responsibilities and such little
real power, that he must very frequently (and IN
avodablyl disappoint persons who seek his official
aid; and that he is often brought into contact with
many people from whom nothing but decidedly
high tone could enforce respect. Bearing these
things in mind, it is easy 10 understand how the
charges Of haughtiness and cxclusiveuess may have
arisen and been spread about, without any founda-
ton in truth justice. My stay 10 Levuka too
short, aud my acquaintance with British consular
business too limited to enable me TO speak autuori-
tatively upon these points, but it seemed to that
Mr. March was as efficient an officer as the miser-
ably cramped nature ofhis powers, aud ofthe means
at his disposal, enabled him to be- If the Imperial
Government should carry out the scheme which it
is reported to have been "considering'' of attach
I ipr 50 I bov
doubt that Mr. March might very safely be entrust
/ ed with such powers. But must candidy say that
can see no probability of any such scheme being
satisfactorily worked out The representative Of
her Majesty at Levuka could only be authorised to
deal with the cases OF British subjects and there
would consequently be many important matters as
10 which he would have no power of interference.
Foreign interests might even be interviewer in bust
transactions in order 10 Dust his jurisdiction.
Again. the authority to award penalties or decree
payment of debts damages would be very little
practical utility unless there also sufficient power
on the spot, to enforce the judgments thus pro-
nounced. This would require almost as strong a
British establishment in the Archipelago as a veri-
table protectorate II is true that recognised and
efficient Fiiian Government might under treaty st-
pulations carry out the sentences and awards of a
British extraterritorial Court; but if the Fijian
Government were strong enough to be called upon
to undertake this duty it might very well be left
like other Governments, to deal with these matters
IN its own Courts. There might as TO criminal
charges be a statutory power of committa for trial
in Australian Court; but besides that this would
be dangerous and possibly oppressive power it
would be seldom that could be sent on in
such state ofcompleteness as TO secure conviction
The United States Consul DIR. Brewer, has every
body's good word, and his Vice Consul Mr.. Drury
(who now also represents the Swiss Confederation)
seems equally popular. The consular officers of the
United States have quasi magisterial powers, but
DO not think that either of the gentlemen Just named
are much troubled by their fellow countrymen in |
this way, although the difficulties which have
occurred between American citizens and the natives,
in times past, have been among the most important |
events of Fijian history. From the Hawaiian Con-
sui, Mr.. Murray, the Provisional Government of /
Fiji received material aid in the shape of complete
copies Of the Hawaiian Constitution laws trans
mittcd from Honolulu. From the same quarter
there has also been direct recognition of King
Thakombau by the visit to Levuka of a duly ac-
credited Minister The Consul for the United States
has officially recognised the foundation OF constu-
tional government in Fiji having issued proclama-
ton cnjuiuin= American citizens 10 respect it.
The policy of the United States as 10 Fiji has always
been to recognise its native rulers not only rs of
sovereign rank, but as internationally responsible
for the of all under their government or in1u-
cncc. There can be no doubt, therefore, that the
Cabinet at Washington will endorse the act ofits
representative. But from none other of the great
Powers has there yet been any recognition-forma
iniormal-of the existing state OF things. There
have been conventions with King Tbakombau, and
he has, ! believe, been royalty saluted by English,
French, and American ships Of war; but anyone who
has learned the A. b, c of international law knows
that these convcutionalites and civties will in
way bind either orthe Powers in question to recog
Mise the Fijian kingdom, at present constituted,
as of the great family Of nations. 1t is not i'm
therefore, that of these Powers, at
all events, will wait and see the Fijian Government
fairly at work and judge for themselves of its sta
bility and efficiency they so recognise it. Such
may be the case with Great Britain, which country
has certainly, of all the great Powers, the largest
amount OF interest at stake in Fiji 1t is not likely
however that the British authorities will throw any
impeachment in the way of the young Government
To do so would not only be unjust but mpolitic,
for in the course that has been taken the Fijian
rulers have only done what the British Government
has frequently by its representatives, counselled
have been such expected. 1t will obviously be
ar more advantageous to British interests that Fiji =
should have a Government of its own by which those
interests win be likely to be looked upon, than tat
It should fall under the dominion or influence of any
other great maritime power. The fact of Mr. March,
he British Consul, having in no way recognized the
Government has given rise to great .
leal of discussion and speculation in Fiji. But the
ruth is he could not recognize it under any circum-
stance without instructions from the Imperial Gov
,mment to that effect; and unless there is a very
unusual departure from official routine it is not very
likely that any such instructions will be given until
ner whatever communications may have been sent a
o London by the Provisional Government shall have Il
,een reported to the British Consul Mr. March re- I
emily handed over the management of postal mat +
ers to two principal merchants of Levuka, and as
hese gentlemen happen also TO be members of King
Cabinet, it believed by many that
he British Consul had by this act officially recogniz
d that Cabinet. But such was not the case. This S
ransfcr OF postal affairs had been accompanied by
n express declaration that it was only made to the
Gentlemen in question Merchants not as Ministers
The Fjsn Government is about to issue postage !,
lamps but having yet no postal arrangements
With any other country, such stamps will be only
valuable at the outset for inter-island mails. One b
# the first things done by the Provisional Govern h
nent on its inauguration-and very wise thing a
IL.