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Evening Star, Issue 3117, 14 February 1873, Page 2

A few years since no one would have attached any importance to the death of a King of the Sandwich Islands, nor have thought any large interests could have been affected by a difficulty as to the succession to the throne. But so rapid has been the rise in importance of these islands that stability of the Government is needed in order to the development of a trade that promises at no distant day to be of great value to .New Zealand and Australasia. Had there been any attempt at a change in the form of Government, the effect might have been pernicious. The rule of the Native Kings since all the islands were united under one rule has been most advantageous, The Government, avoiding efforts to induce the establishment of one industry, by taxing all others under the pretext of protection, have adopted a liberal tariff which has encouraged commerce, and added to the natural advantages of position enjoyed by those islands. They are the pivot on wnich the commerce of the United States and Australian trade, as well as the China trade in .the Pacific, must concentrate. Had the country, therefore, resolved itself into a Republic, after the fashion of the United States, the probability is that, following in the wake of the Great Republic, a vicious protective tariff, detrimental to their qwu interests, and tending to cripple their commerce, would have been the result. In fact some time ago, when it was known that the late Ring had no lineal successor, of such importance was the possession of those islands deemed, that the question of annexation to the States was seriously discussed in the. Chamber- pf Commerce at Suji L'l-aimimuv Tim wJm.iito- fmjnH many advocates, and elaborate arrays of figures ■were produced, in order to prove the advantages to be derived from such a step. Fortunately for the country the peaceable settlement of the succession has set that scheme at rest, and it is to be hoped, for the sake of all nationalities, that the budding prosperity of those islands will not be blighted by any .erroneous theory of taxation. Hawaii is an instance of what may be done with the Native races. The civilization of that kingdom was carried on almost unnoticed by the great nations of Europe and America. It was the work of a few missionaries, and it was only when the trade between the United States and China commenced that the commercial value of the Kingdom of the Sandwich Jslapds became manifest. At one time it was feared that European contact w r as likely to result ip the extiiv pation of the race through the introduction of hitherto unknown diseases, A large remnant has, however, escaped, and the future of the country is likely to be a brilliant one. Only a few years ago had slavers kidnapped the Sandwich Islanders, the same might have been said of the. kingdom of Haw r aii, as was said by one of our statesmen regarding the Solomon fslands and New Hebrides —“I do not sea that we have any interest in the matter,” Our interest is made plain by our increasing intercourse with the Islands. Our interest is that there should be a large population advancing in civilisation. What has happened there has been rendered doubtful if not impossible in the Solomon group. Instead of converting the remnant into customers, they have been maddened into enemies; instead of large populations, the islands are becoming depopulated and desolate.