The Hawaiian gazette., 1875-02-10


standard. (Hear, hsar.) But must IN justie
say that throughout the late negotiations Tha
komban displayed disinterested anxiety for ID,
good Of those who looked to him for protection
which would have done honor to the most en-
lightened European. His opinions were expressed
with a precision, and illustrated with an aptuesi
which showed great natural intelligence and per
eeption Of character. Whilst there can be nc
doubt that the sound OF judgment which be was
able to bring to bear upon the practical solutiou
Of the difficulty, and his downright honesty of pur
pose cOnduced largely to the success Of my mis-
sion. (Applause.) And DOW that we have &C
complished the annexation of FIJI, let me glance
FOR moment at the results which are likely to
accrue to Australia and TO the Empire at large
from such an acquisition. Opinions at home may
and do differ as 10 whether additions to our vast
Empire are Gin the absirsei) desirable. or the re-
verse. But matters at FIJI had been allowed to
advance beyond the point at which they could be
disposed Of by the application Of any mere tociri
Rdirs principles. A large number Of British sub
jeets had settled in the islands.-some for the
Legitimate purpose ofagrieulture and trade others
for the less legitimate object Of escaping from
their creditors and dupes. (Hear, hear) No
efeetual steps were taken in time to control
these men and to protect the native interests Of
the country from their depredations. Until ut last
annexation became simple duty. as the only
practicable means of escape from evils for which
Great Britain might justly be expected to pro-
vide remedy. Most people who have carefully
reflected on the subject will. think, concur in
the opinion recently expressed by Lord Derby
that, as a general rule England has already
black subjects enough" But this was a special
case, in which the path Of duty was clear, and all
other considerations were in consequence Ignored
/ trust, therefore, that a step which has been
adopted from such purely conscientious motives
may not be without its reward, and that the
course which the Imperial Government has adop.
ted in this matter may be justified by subsequent
events. (Cheers.l For myself. believe that
the result Of the acquisition Of Fiji will be con-
siderable both to these colonies aud Indirectly to
he mother country; but think there is some
ZINES much Misrepresentation in the minds Of en-
husiasiic persons as to the possible future of !
hese beautiful Islands. Ii must be remembered |
hat they are within 10 degrees of the equator.
md that, although comparatively healthy, the /
conditions inseparable from a tropical climate /
re unfriendly TO European life, and prohibit /
he employment OF white labors. 1t must not
'e overlooked, therefore, that under the most
Avonble circumstances FIJI can only become
colony somewhat similar to Ceylon or Java
{ the Nautilus producing tropical products
y means Of black labor, under white super
ison and superintendent. Under no circum
lances car the place develop like Australia
New Zealand or North America into q perma.
ent home for the AnglO-Saxon race. The bulk
the community can never be people speaking
be English language but must be composed Of
rientals Of some description, as they aloue are
lPabe OF lAboriug and living under the vertical
'ys Of tropical SUI. Still, although FIJI may
ever be anything but tropical colony, think
lat the acquisition of the place is likely to prove
considerable advantage to these English CON-
uuities which are so rapidly growing up in the
australian seas (Hear, hear.) 10 the first place,
such an Alsatia had remained open at our
,ors, these colonies would have been indirectly
posed TO an endless series of trading aud kid
piping scandals which they would have been
'weress to repress. Again, it might have 1
owed very announcement to Australia if Fiji.
til its unriyalled harbors had fallen into the !
nds of any foreign power. Clear, hear) As .
is We have secured q position in the South Pa /
&c, in the great highway between Australia and b
merica, which is sure to be found most con- j
nieut naval station for our own ships Of war. !
j will also prove valuable eoaling link in the !,
ain Of steam Communication which has now I ;
list been permanently established between sgd n
J and San Francisco. Cloud cheers Whilst fl
regards the place itself, it has been saved by I
nexatiOn from bloody struggle, and under the !
" regime, that sense of security will spring up =
ich is indispensable as foundation for enter. r
Sc and prosperity. (Applause) The islands c,
unsurpassed in fertility. and are capable of lc
lding tropical and semitropieal products in b
at Eariety-such as sugar, cotton, maize, rice, d.
fee, tobacco, fibre, and the varied products Of
cocoanut palm. Under such conditions cap :,
will assuredy dow into the Islands attracted W
the prospect of profitable investment. The &C
ue of property will increase The great natu- be
resources OF the country will be developed 81
ssh markets will be opened to trade. And the u
up, from its position, viii become centre n
n whence the blessings of Christianity and Of
izanon will radiate throughout the almost num- he
less surrounding isles of the Pacific (Cbeers.) NJ
5 impossible not to see that the vista thus pr
ming at FIJI may possibly extend to the ut u
1t limits Of Polynesia. The facilities Offering ~
Industry and enterprise throughout that vast 60
on ara certain sooner or later to be availed wi
and as the islands Of the Pacific are opened up an
funds for their development will flow from oh
itralia, and their tradal relations will be with =
Ie colonies. The next hundred years there
may perhaps produce in the South Pacific
nagined change which will filI the world with
der (Cheers.) What food Of light, and
t an array of stupendous events have changed
character Of the world since IVA Would
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