Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-04-01

responsible for the recent annexation
to New Zealand Of the Cook and GER
tain other islands.
why, the opposition say So" said
the premier, with twinkle IN his eye,
"and some times even the opposition is
right Strategcally Niue and the Cook
Islands are more important than they
look"
Mr.. Seldom foresaw the opening OF
the Panama and Nicaragua canals, and
declares that he does not particularly
want TO see Islands that are on the
high road to the colonies parceled out
here and there In exchange, perhaps
TO America or France, a thing always
possible under professionals. There
WAS a great deal OF pnobtrusive French
influence at work IN the Pacitic--a
great deal more than people at home
seemed 10 have an idea OF. OF course,
France, Germany and America We're
openly opposing British commercial In
terests all over the islands and, In
regard to Germany, what had taken
place In the Marshalls was evidence.
THE recent additions to New Zea-
land are commercially worth some
thing, are they notG"
Certainly they are. can show you
reports that show quite an astonishing
amount OF trade between New Zea-
land and her islands-mostly recent.
Both sides beneht. The islands get a
market for their products and we ex-
port our goods TO them"
What about Tonga? Is II prosper
ing under the present pmtectorate ar
rpngementP
THE islands have not progressed as
ali he. oh 4 . h "A A.,
rlcanes have done more to keep them
back than King George and his minis
ters, although more could have been
done II European advice and control
had been followed The islands We're
never better governed than under the
late Rev, Shirley Baker"
THOUGHT IT WAS A WARsHIP.
Some years ago, Mr.. Seldom said, no
visited the group In the government
steamer Tutanekai arriving there on
the morning OF the queens birthday in
1900. On arrival he learned that the
king had been notified TO hoist the
British flag I'm honor OF our sovereign,
and IN acknowledgment of the protec-
torate. The Tongan flag had been
hoisted with the British flag UNDER
meath, and TO a good Britlsher this was
not considered orthodox As the Tu-
tanekai came up the harbor with the
yellow funnel, she was taken for
British man-o'-war, and much TO the
delight Of the English consul this had a
material influence on King George, who
at the last moment hoisted the British
flag mast high. and the queens birth
day was kept amid great rejoicing
The opening OF the Tongun parlla-
ment took place during the premler's
visit and although the ink on tho
agreement for the protectorate was
scarcely dry the king I'm his speech re-
Trained from admitting that such pro-
tectorate existed. He, however made
a point of publicly thanking Heaven
that the premier of New Zealand had
favored Tonga with q visit. Whether
his majesty altered hls opinion when he.
found that the Tutanekal was merely q
pleasure boat Is difficult 90 ascertain,
Suffice Il to say that every hospitality
and Kindness was shown TO Mr.. Seldom
and the Tutanekai party.
II may be mentioned here that the
Tongan group has only about 200 whita
inhabitants and about 10000 natives OF
an extremely warlike disposition, al
though nominaly civilized and Chris
tlanized.
Asked the question whether Tonga
would finally become British posses
sion, Mr. Seddon replied, "Taihoa"->
thine viii determine, A great number
OF natives are not satisfied, and n petit
ton TO bring a portion OF the islands
from under the kings dominion has
been signed. There has also been a
complaint made about the treatment OF
New Zealand shipping. Occasionally
their finances so wrong, and large sums
OF money do not pass the orthodox
audit
"The royal party would be very
strongly opposed 10 any change. and
an evidence OF this was given IN tho
treatment Of the high commissioner
recently Measles In FIJI was given as
the excuse for the dlscourtesy shown.