THE FIRST REFERENCE TO NEW ZEALAND'S DOMINION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 6, 2 October 1907, Page 3

THE FIRST REFERENCE TO NEW ZEALAND'S DOMINION.

Sir,—Some of tho speakers on Dofifraion Day and many newspapers were not quoting "from the book" when referring to. Sir George Grey and Mr. Seddon's opinions regarding New Zealand's work in the Pacific. Sir George's despatches chiefly referred to the Sandwich Islajids, which, after travelling in the Pacific in 1872 and 1873, I could not bring into our sphere of influence at all. I don't think Sir George ever set foot upon any one of the Islands himself, and the history of the past 35, years supports tlmt view. He strongly, desired the annexation of the Sandwich Islands by 'England, and, I regret to say (for I always liked and entertained the highest respect for him), did immense barm to future Pacific Island annexation, by exciting the hostility of the -Rome Government to his propositi, which was altogether too far reaching. After annexation, his proposal was a confederation with New Zealand. I was careful to avoid that error when suggesting New Zealand's Dominion over the groups of Islands near us, to the South of the Kquator, which required overlording, and which we could overlord. This policy has since been carried out by Mr. Seddon in respect to the Cook Group, although Fiji and Samoa have both petitioned our Legislature to com eunder our rule.

The less said about the part the late Mr. Seddon played in .Pacific Island matters the better. The late Mr. George Fisher twitted him quite justly in the House (in 1990-1901) touching his erroneous historical quotations, and his totally ignoring the Polynesian Scheme, with which he was, fully acquainted, as 1 had lent' him my Isjaiul historical papers long before preparing the Parliamentary Paper A-G, 1894, " Samoa and Pacific Islands," which tho Hon. W. P. Reeves, wished to make a school book. Tho late Mr. Fisher was a reporter 'in 'tlio Press Gallery in 387G, when my petition to the House against Sir Julius VOgel was considered, and he remembered the facts and reminded }&t. Seddon of them, to that Minister's intense annoyance. The first uso of tho words " New, Zealand's Dominion'" will be found in the Polynesian Scheme of August, 1873. Allow me to quote the concluding paragiaplis from niy Press copy, urging the then annexation of all the Islands not occupied by France" There is very little land in the Southern Hemisphere as compared witn the Northern. Population is fast extending. Again, in the circle of the globe, ..the Polynesian Islands are nearly the sole representatives of the * insular land peculiarly suitable fo.- .the above-named productions, lying 15deg. north or south of the Equator. When the value of _ Ceylon and the Mauritius is. taken into consideration no hesitation should be made in, taking possession of Polynesia, .or, if not in taking possession, at least in granting a charter to Englishmen which would enable them to carry out the third object above, mentioned—ultimate dominion. (The Wires objects of my scheme were: 0) The supply of native labour ill the -Polynesian Group and to the Australian Colonics; (2) to take advantage of the'dormant, labour resident in the Islands by exchanging tra'dc for Island productions', and (3) to acquire ul- ■ limato dominion.) History gives instances of colonies slanting colonies. May I suggest flint Now Zealand should look to her own position, and plant her flag on these Islands? When they are annexed it will soon be seen how

valuable they are. I cannot .see why wo should allow Euroncan Powers to take up or deelino at pleasure that which is ours by proximity. If New Zealand took the bold step of annexing these Islands, England perhaps would be glad to bo relieved of tlio difficulty, and the New Zealand Legislature couli? than grant a charter to such a company (is I propose." I 110 doubt the Hons. Messrs. Ormond and C. C. Bowen will remenv bcr my old proposals and the tough battle I had to maintain, my . right to ■ them. Mr D. M. "Lnckie, I am sure, -will, ar, he was'tho editor of "The Daily Southern Cross" 'in 'Auckland .when I made thorn. The. late Mr. Seddon, I know, never for,*ave me for what llr. Fisher -said; although I was absent i-i Sydney at the time, and-know nothing of what Mr. Fisher was doing. Unfortunately I could not very well obliterate, even for Mr. Seddon,'my proposals of 1873, and the uso of the word "Dominion" placed on record somr year's before he landed in the Colony, and the practical work of colonisation I carried out froni Auckland in thoso yearsill stiiTting the Fiji Bank, and other natters, too long and late now to mention. Hut I • must say that T1 always, subsequently to 1891, held h very poor ojfiriion of Mr. Seddon'for ignoring the original proposal of a. New Zealand Dominion in the Pacific, and rather pitting hiniself as the author of that scheme, whereas every, Premier of the Colony since 1873 . has. been guided by it', a;ul will be guided for all time, seeing that we have still to javvo out and hold our Dominion against every nation but Eissland. I remember so well be,-;ing the' Minister.', of the seventies not lo plunge into millions of debt to on;n Island communication by railways, but to place a few. steam engines in some of the barques wo had, and open outward communication all around us; that our real level railroad requiring no formation was tho sea; that private capital would make the-inland railways; that ctionps of most \.limbic islands were tc bb had for the- taking, and even the Maoris would for ma 'su.fiicient force tn do the work. But I could get vcry little support. I had taken a considerable part, in IS7( in sreuring the annojnitiou of Fiji; to the .Crown, but 1 wanted New.Zealand.to reach out her own band for the thousands of islands under native rule remaining. there were rumours that Germany intc-r.-dtd taking. Samoa, steam was Sot up in our harbour hero on tbc's.s,' Tf.iycmoa, ■Mid tliiv Wihis'.rv of the day half-heart-,-dl.v.ordered thftt vessel to.hold hcrs?lf in rratlinf-ss for us lo forestall Germany. But the chance had slipped by. an<2 flam, war, Carman before our CaMs»t stirred ilsalf. fo I hv.'* leaked nir-Hto •sti from the Wairarapa thfSs past 36 re.iTS, positively lamenting the mi.W4 opportunity, knowing all the time that niir cord and iron supplies will some day bring back ihts chajice we have lost— if we, do not foolishly give all our coal ••.way for asoqg as England is doing— and the Islands to .'ho South of thf Equator must ccme within our sphere, of influence. Japan and Amc-rica c.yi easiest for the Northern, Ishnds. and, personally, I think they will b; happier under Japanese rule than u'.'.der Uncle Sp.m,. bungles'things ns Australia, is bungling. Ouv highest policy to-day for New ZralW is to share the domnioj of the I'nciiij with Japan, and to hold out the bane of friendship and goodwill to that gre.».-_ country. New Zealand's dominion wii ; be one of trade, and the channels c: trade were earefullv laid down 111 trade map of the Pacific attached lu tin. Tariff Commission Report of 1 ftin, etc., COLFMA?] pIIILLI ps. Carterton, September 23.