Year: 1870

Fan difficulty has been started 1t has been stated


that the Government of Victoria have entertained
3 the idea of "annexing'' the Archipelago to that


Colony And although the protecting shadow of


the Victorian flag would be less satisfactory to
the white settlers than that of the Union Jack or


even that of the Stars and Stripes, they would hail


it as boon.


1t is pity that such expectations, which seem to


be seriously entertained by some of the settlers,
should be doomed to almost certain disappointment


No Colonial Government has power to assume or


accept an extension of territorial rule ANY exercise


of the functions of sovereignty in Fiji by persons


commissioned from Victoria, would be just as illegal
as q similar assumption of power by governing


committee" )" elected by and from the white resi-


dents themselves The members of the Victorian
Government never, therefore, have had the in


tention attributed to them. 1t is highly probable


that there have been urgent solicitations for the


good offices of these gentlemen, and it is not i'm


possible that such good offices may be used with


the British Government, to press for reconsidera


tion of its decision to Fiji II is very possible,


too, that there may be some idea of making FIJI


dependency of Victoria, in the event of the Imperial


Government consenting 10 such arrangement


But there is very little to hope that any such
consent will ever be given 1t is in the highest de-


gree improbable that the Imperial Government


would delegate any colonial administration such
enormous powers as would be necessary for the an
nexation and government of Fiji If the decision
already arrived at were reversed, and British rule
established in the Archipelago it would be to officers
appointed by, aud directly responsible to, the I'm


perial Government, that such rule would be in
trusted


We are among those who think that the British
Government acted unwisely in rejecting the prof
fered supremacy in Fiji, and should be glad to see
this decision reversed But is there any probability
of such reversal? We do not believe there is The
decision arrived at after very deliberate consid
Grafton, and after the Islands had been visited and
reported upon by special commissioner 1t has
been announced TO the settlers and to the native
chiefs in the most formal manner 1t has been
| peatedly, although Indirectly confirmed by the
/ limitations imposed the exercise of consular
authority, and by intimaons to settlers as to the
danger of locating themselves in isolated positions
Since this decision arrived at the policy of the
British Government seems to have become still
more decidedly opposed to the acquisition of
territories and the of events In New Zealand
/ has been such would naturally strengthen the
disinclinaon to accept the responsibilities of rule
over FIJI and the Fjans. Some of the very argu-
ments Of the settlers-their statements as to the
violence Of the natives and the necessity for its
repression by the strong hand of civilized Govern
ment--are such as would rather tend to increase
than to diminish this inclination.


The kind of civilized rule best adapted TO FIJI
would be Protectorate-a government something
like that of Netherlands India 1t might be abso-
Lutte over the places where the settlers have chiefly
congregated, as in ovalau and part of Viii Levu,
but mere supremacy, (athOugh strong and well
defined one,) over the native chiefs and tribes in
other parts of the group. Government of this
nature would at once be economical and efficient,
and We wish the British authorities could be per
suaded TO undertake it. But the almost nvariable
policy of England has been insist upon as absolute
a sovereignty in its dependencies as within the
United Kingdom itself If Fiji were made a Colony
of in the ordinary mode, and all the Fijians con-
verted, by proclamation into British subjects there
would, it is certain be great deal of trouble in
dealing with the rights and claims of the native
chieftains, TO whom their people are devoted, and
who, unlike the native chiefs in New Zealand have
well defined political authorities.


If the mere establishment of British rule over one
Isand-as over Ovalau, for instance-c could have
suficed, it is possible that the Imperial Government
might have been persuaded into taking such step.
But this would not have been enough The white
settlers gradually scattering themselves all over





and it is those who have located themselves in places
the most distant from the centres of white popua-
tion who stand in the greatest need of that protec-
ton. The Government Of. the British dependency,
therefore, if were creaied would be constantly
called upon for help against native aggressions in
other parts of the group. To render effective help
it would have to undertake warlike operations
against hostile tribes. The probability of such a
state of things would, doubtless, be regarded by
the Imperial Government something very much
worse than assumption of sovereignty over
the whole Archipelago.


The mere fact that British subjects have settled in
considerable numbers in these Islands, does not en-.
title them to demand the establishment there of
British governmental authority. They have gone to
FIJI of their own free WILL just they might have
gone to any of the i'll governed Republics of Central
America, and must be presumed to have done so
with calculation of all the chances They have
even, as we have already seen, had express warning
that British rule would not be established in Fiji
and have been expressly cautioned against locating
themselves in places remote from the central settle
ments.


But they have still, nevertheless, as we conceive
claim to protection and help of some kind, which
can not, either in justice or with good policy be
ignored. Besides the general right to be protected
IN all lawful pursuits, as Ear as it reasonably be
done, which British subject carries with him
wherever he may go, it is undeniabe, that by the
enterprise of these settlers, and important fields
for the profitable employment of British capital and
labor are being opened up. They ought not to ex-
pect to be assisted in any way, in getting forced
labor in compelling the Fijians to sell lands or in
aLy other aggression against native chiefs or people,
but so long they carry out their enterprises in
Legitimate manner, and with due regard to native
rights their interests ought TO be well cared for
The very recognition of Fijiau independence carries
with it an assumption of Fijian responsibility for
wrong, and this responsibility should be rigidly en-
forced wherever wrong is done TO a settler The
American Government has shown how this can be
done Something, however, beyond mere watchful-
ness of events, and an occasional demand for com
pensation or chastisement of native tribe for out
RACES on persons properties is mperatively need
ed. The white settlers of FIJI are a community al
most wholly without law, for the native tribunals,
If the settlers disposed TO submit to their
authority, are quite incompetent TO administer JUS
tice according to an Englishmans notions and the
Consular powers restricted as TO be of scarcely
any value for government or Judicial purposes.
There is not even such jurisdiction as is exercised
by Consular officers in the Levant where it is less
needed