The Hawaiian gazette., 1872-01-03

these functionaries, representing respectively the
Governments ofGreat Britain, the United States and
I the Hawaiian Islands. Ii has been already stated
that by far the greater number OF the white settlers
are British subjects. But the consular represents
tive OF her Majesty had aud has no real power for
the repression of disorder or the settlement Of dis.
/ pntes arising among these people. All he de-
pend upon is the weight OF his own personal iuiu-
enco, baeked-as regards any person who might be
disposed to be unusually troublesome-by the dread
of possible deportation to the colonies, u ct a57s,
on board Of ship of war. A more satisfactory and
trying situation than that Of the gentleman filling
this post can scarcely be imagined. Before visiting
Levuka I had heard Mr., March, the present British
Consul good deal spoken Of and in various terms.
It was pretty clear however, that with many OF the
British Leyukans be was decidedly unpopular On
attempting TO ascertain and analyse the causes Of
this feeling they seemed traceablc TO one supposed
disqualifcation-tha he was too naughty and OK
elusive. Now let it be understood that Mr. March
is-by birth, education, and habits-a gentleman /;
thatlis position is as have said, most embarrass-
ing one, with SO many responsibilities aud such little
real power, that nc must very frequently (and I'M
avoidably) disappciut persons who seek his official
aid; and that he is often brought into contact with
many people AlNll NAolAA AOtAlll- NAA
high tone could enforce respect. Bearing these
things in mind, it is easy TO understand how the
charges ofhaughtiness and excluslveness may have
arisen, and been spread about, without any fcunda
ton in truth or justice My stay in Lcvuka was too
short, aud my acquaintance with British consular
business too limited to enable me to speak autlor
tatvely upon these points, hut it seemed TO that
Mr.. March was as efficient an officer as the miser
at his disposal, enabled him TO be. Il the Imperial
Government should carry out the scheme which ii
is reported TO have been considering" Of attach,
ing magisterial powers TO the Consulate, haye no
doubt that Mr. March might very safely be entru>,-
ed with such powers. But must caudidly say that
I can see no probability of any such scheme being
satisfactorily worked out. The representative OF
her Majesty at Leyuka could only be authorised to
deal with the cases OF British subjects; and there
would consequently be many important matters
10 which he would have no power of Interference.
Foreign interests might even be interviewer in bust
ness transactions in order Gust his Jurisdiction
ssaiu the authority to award penalties or decree
payment Of debts OF damages would be very little
practical utility unless there was also sufficient power
on the spot, 10 enforce the Judgments thus pro-
uouuced. This would require almost as strong a
table protectoraic It is true that recognised and
efficient Fiiau Government might, under treaty st
pulations, carry out the sentences and awards of
British extra-territorial Courts but if the Fijian
Government were strong enough 10 be called upon
TO undertake this duty, it might very wei 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 commita for trial
IN
be a dangerous auG possibly oppressive power, it
would be seldom that a case could be sent on in
such state OF completeness as to secure conviction.
The United States Consul Dr. Brewer, has every
bodys good word, and bis Vice-Consul, Mr. Drury
(who now also represents the Swiss Confederationl
seems equally popular. The consular officers ofthe
United States have quasi magisterial powers, but
90 not think that either Of the gentlemen just named
are much troubled by their fellow couutrymeu 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 and laws trans
mtted from Honolulu. From the same quarter
there has also been direct recognition Of King
Thakombau by the visit to Lcvuka Of duly ac-
credited Minister The Consul for the United States
has officially recognised the foundation OF consttu
tional government in Fiji having issued procama-
tiou enjoiniug all American citizens to respect It,
The policy of the United States as to Fiji has always
been TO recognise It's native rulers not only as Of
sovereign rank but as internationally responsible
for the acts of all under their government or infu
ence. There can be no doubt, therefore, that the /
Cabinet at Washington will endorse the act Of its 4
But from none other of the great
Powers has there yet been any recognition-formal T
or iuiormal-of the existing state OF things There I
have been conventions with King Thakombau, aud "
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 convcntionalties and civilities will in no
way bind either OF the Powers in question to recog
Mise the Fijiau kingdom as at present constituted,
as one Of the great family Of nations. II is not i'm
probable, therefore, that Of these Powers, at
all events, viii wait and see the Fijian Government
fairly work and Judge for themselves Of its sta
bility and efficiency they recognise it. Such
may be the case with Great Britain, which country
las 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 impolitie
for in the course that has been taken the Fijian
rulers have only done what the British Government
ias frequently, by its representatives, couuselled
hem TO do, although the D,odtss opcra5di may not
nave been such as was expected 1t will obviously be
ar more advantageous to British interests that FIJI
should have a Government of its own by which those
interests will be likely to be looked upon, than that
L should fall under the dominion OF influence Of any
other great maritime power The fact of Mr.. March,
he British Consul having in no way recognized the
Provisional Government has given rise TO a great
ieal of discussion and speculation in Fiji. But the
ruth is he could not recognize it under any crcum
stance without instructions from the Imperial Gov
.rnment TO that effect; and unless there is a very
unusual departure from official routine it is not very
likely that any such instructions viii be given until
lner whatever communications may have been sent
o London by the Provisional Government shall have
oeen reported to the British Consul Mr.. March re-
,eutly 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
rhakombau's Cabinet, it was believed by many that
he British Consul had by this act officially recoguz
d that Cabinet But such was not the case. This
rausfer OF postal affairs had been accompanied by