The Hawaiian gazette., 1874-03-11
Proposed Annexation OfFiii 10 Great
Britaiu

The following is q translation of letter addressed
to the King and Chiefs of FIJI, by Commodore Good
enough and Mr. Consul Layard, and was, together with
the original published in the FIJI Gorerm ent Gazette
ofthe 18th January:
Commodore GOOdenOugh and Consul Laysrd are
the two Chiefs sent out by her Britannia Majesty the
Queen of England to visit FIJI, inquire and con-
suit with the King of FIJI and the chiefs, respecting
the Government of Fiji
These two chiefs desire to consult with the King
and Chiefs of FIJI fully and clearly, that they may
know what they the chiefs desire, or prefer. Wheth-
the King of FIJI shall govern Fiji or whether her
Britannia Majesty the Queen of England shall govern
FIJI, they the Commissioners desire to know their
(the chiefs minds.
Should it be their true minds 1.-THE King and
Chiefs of Fiji to give FIJI to England that it shall
become the Queen of England's to govern, there is
but one object and design sought-Fiji's peace and
welfare in all time that the King and Chiefs with
all their people, and all the inhabitants of the land
may live in peace and prosper. This and this only,
is the desire and object
1t is no new thing for England to govern islands
like Fiji She and governs, several parts of the
world-a great number of similar islands to Fiji and
and preserve its peace, and promote the welfare and
prosperity of its people.
"But England will never take Fiji by force or
stealth, if the King and Chiefs do not wish to give it
if they think they can and are able to govern the
land themselves.
If the King Of Fiji retains the Government for
himself, that is we'll, and England will only require
of him, and place before him, one thing-t1at he
shall govern wisely and rghteousy with equal jus
tice to natives and British subjects resident in Fiji at
all times.
But there is one matter to be considered by the
King and chiefs of Fiji they must know that the
number of foreigners in FIJI will greatly Increase
from year to year well their property and their
residence in FIJI will create great intrcacies
and for these the King and chiefs think
and study well over the matter, whether they VIII be
able to conduct their Government in the future under
difficult circumstances, or not There is one
desire tee part of the Government of England
respecting Fiji which is-that its peace, welfare and
prosperity may be secured, and that each and all its
inhabitants, of both races, may be able obtain and
secure their individual and just rights, whether they
be native born or forcgners-that, and that only.
d" We have finished
lSlgned) JAMES u. G0ODENOUGH, Captain and
Commodore End class, commanding Australian
stations.
"tsigned) E. L. LArARD, her Britannia Majesty's
Consul for FIJI and Tonga"
Commenting on the above, the Auckland Herald
says:
1--WE need not say that the prospect of annexation
is received with great satisfaction here and through
out all the Australian colonies. The islands are BY
many degrees the richest and most accessible of any
of the South Pacific groups. Their superior richness
is due to their greater size and the noble rivers flow
ing through them. Their accessibility along the
coast inside of the reefs surrounding them or up the
rivers to the heart of the mountains, has been the
chief of their rapid settlement and Development
Their climate is-as tropical elimate-One of the
finest in the world Free fswamps they are also free
of ague and fever and liable to of the epidem
les which render larger islands in the same latudes
Objectionable. They from the same cause free of
the insect pests rapid changes of temperature
which defeat the energy Of the planter in New Gale
dOnia. Altogether, to those who can stand the ener-
waiting effects of tropical residence the Fiji are like
ly to be highly attractive. With security and British
law population would flock in from the neighboring
colonies, ndfrom the exhausted soils of Mauritius
the fever climate Of Batavia. Labor will be got
with from China or India when the Government
in position to secure the confidence of ndians
Chinese in the enforcement of the contracts made
with them. Such the prospects, if annexation be
resolved upon. If otherwise there is evidently long