Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1884-05-10

the desire Of the people Of the colonies is
broadly and simply that New Guinea should
be included in the future Australian Empire
II civilized settlement is good for Australia
they conclude that it would be good for New
Guinea also, and they cannot understand what
possible good could arise from preserving a
land Of barbarism and savagery clooe to their
own doors. Moreover, they know that the
primitive condition OF New Guinea cannot be
preserved, even IL it were desirable that it
should be perpetuated. The passion for con.
quest is not confined TO military poteutates
The most enduring conquests, and the best
for the world, are those which are made by
the heroes of discovery and the captains Of in.
dustry The spirit Of adventure is too strong,
restless, and daring to be choked OH from a
land reputed to offer rich fields for settlement
and industrial enterprise.
Perhaps the best reason for the annexation
and colonization Of New Guinea is to be found
in the future welfare Of the native population
AS it is, they cannot escape from spoilation
and those collisions which lead to a kind Of
normal state Of aggression and reprisal between
races. You cannot roll back from New Guinea
all the worlds knowledge of the land and its
natural riches, and seal it up, as it were, in a
state Of primitive night. Even If i, were left
to the guardianship Of Baron NIaclay and the
missionaries, the stream Of events would soon
provide rival guardians.
As a sample OF the vsitatons with which
New Guinea will be afflicted II the country is
now LEFT to itself, | will give the story Of Wis.
itor, as told by himself in a Sydney newspaper
some time ago. A Mr. John Cameron made
it his business to visit New Guinea last year
with the avowed object Of buying land Some
reports about his transactions with the natives
which got abroad after his return to Sydney
induced Mr. Cameron to defend his conduc, in
the Sydney Morning Herald. lie explains
that he examined large tract Of country, and
had repeated intercourse with the natives !;
that he made known, by means ofinterpreters,
the object Of his visit, and the nature of deed
Of conveyance which he had brought with him
for the native owners of the land to sign.
Nothing could be more Just and straightlor-
ward, he contends, than this mode of procedure
Eventually he bought 1000 acres of picked
land, for which he paid 1SI4o in cash. and gave
presents to the value of $50. Reckoning his
presents at the value at which he puts upon
them, Mr.. Cameron paid less than id per
acre rthe best block of IL, 900 acres of land
which he could find in journey of 90 miles.
But he goes on to explain that only 1000 acres
Of the land is suitable for sugar planting, and
1000 acres for cotton the remainder is"poor
and swampy." Accepting this explanation of
the quality of the soil, Mr.. Cameron paid about
I5d per acre for 5000 acres Of the richest land
suitable for the growth of sugar and cotton,
aud obtained 5000 acres of other land for moth.
ing. II is further explained in Mr. Cameron's
ingenious way that missionary advised the
natives TO return the "tradc" 1.-THE money and
presents), and not part with their land, and that
in consequence he went back to the sellers, who
re-afiirmed the bargain.
Now, here is annexation with vengence.
We may be sure that other Camerons will pay
friendly visits to New Guinea. Among the
raiders in the Pacific, the pearl-fshers in Torres
Strait, and the rowing speculaters in all parts
of Australia, there are hundreds Of men, with al.
tIigue, who would much prefer dealing with the
natives of New Guinea without the intervention
Of British or any other established authority.
The authority of high commissioners will avail
but little in protecting the natives against this
class OF enterprising capitalists. The colonial
ton Of New Guinea by Great Britain, with
adequate provision for the native population,
would under all circumstances be the wisest
thing that could happen 1t cannot be cx-
pectcd that the Australian people will be salts
fed with New Guinea remaining in its present
state, or that their dissat sfacton will not increase
as time goes on. From its geographical posi-
ton in relation to Australia it seems 10 be-
long as mnch as Tasmania to the great English
group at the Antipodes. 1t cannot be ex-
pected that the visits of adventures to New
Guinea will not continue, or that these visits,
under no kind Of authority, will not lead TO
discomfort. turmoil, and outrage in the island.
II colonization is TO take place, is it wise to
wait till the native mind is darkencd by the
worst impressions Of the white intruders All
accounts agree that the natives are far above
the lowest type--tba, they addicted in some
sort to regular habits Of industry and are cap
able Of receiving instruction. Looking to the
two courses, one or other of which seems
to be their probable destiny, cannot see how
it can be doubted tina, they would have bet
ter chance under British rule than by being left
open to the lawless infucnces-I fear must
add lawlcss assaults --which would continually
press upon them in their present state.
lit were aquestion of pure philanth ophy,
and il state-crall could afford to deal with such
questions, the true advocate Of the wcll.beinc
ofthe Papuan natives would support the colo
nization OF New Guinea. by no other means
can their condition be improved and protected
After the experience we have had with ether
native races there is no reason why ample pro-
vision should not be made in any new scheme
of occupation for the preservation Of their
rights, and for their permanent welfare. One
acre Of land under cultivation, improved by
European example, would be worth ten in the
savage state. In all respects their condition
might be rendered better, and in no matter
ought it necessarily TO be made worse, by the
sheltering power Of civil government, say
nothing here Of the interest Of the Australian
colonies in the destiny Of New Guinea. Much
has been urged Of late in support Of the author
itaiively expressed desire OF the Australian
Governments for the annexation Of the island to
the British Crown, as security to the com
merce and the general progress OF the colonies,
and much more will be heard on the subject.
All that, however, leave out Of my present
view OF this matter.--.SV Henry FsyksS, ia
Pail Hall E1afff<