GOVERNOR ROBINSON ON FIJI.

Evening Star, Issue 3834, 8 June 1875, Page 2

GOVERNOR ROBINSON ON FIJI.

The following is an extract from a recent speech of Sir Hercules Robinson, delivered at Sydney For myself, 1 believe that the result of tbe acquisition of Fiji will be considerable, both to these Colonies and indirectly to the Mother country ; but 1 think there is sometimes much|misappreheußien in the minds of enthusiastic persons as to the possible future of these beautiful islands. ' t must be remembered that they are within 15 degrees of the equator, and that, although comparatively healthy, the conditions inseparable from a tropical climate are unfriendly to European life and prohibit the employment of white labor. It must not be overlooked, therefore, that under the most favorable circumstances, Fiji can onlyjbecome a Colony somewhat similar to C ;ylon or Java, or the Mauritius, pioduc ng tropical products by means of black labor, under white supervision and superintendence. Under no circumstances can the place develop like Australia or New Ze viand, or North A merica, into a permanent home for the Anglo-Saxon race. I he bulk of the community can never be people speaking the English language, but must be composed of Orientals ot some description,, as they alone are capable of laboring and living under the vertical rays of a tropical sun. Still, although Fiji may never be anything but a tropical colony, I think that tbe acquisition of tbe place is likely to prove of considerable advantage to these great English communities, which are so rapidly growing up iu the Australasian seas. Under the new regime, that sense of security will spring up which is indispensible as a foundation for enterprise and prosperity. The islands are unsurpassed in fertility, and are capable of yielding tropical and semitropical products in great variety—such as sugar, cotton, maize, rice, coffees, tobacco fibre, and the varied products of the cocoanut palm. Under such conditions capital will assuredly flow into the island, attracted by the prospect of profitable investment; the value of property will increase; the great natural resources of the country will be developed; fresh markets will be opened to trade ; and the group, from its position, will become a centre whence the blessings of Christianity and civilisation will radiate throughout the almost numberless islands of the South Pacific. It is impossible not to see that the vista thus opening at Fiji may possibly extend to the utmost limits of Polynesia. The facilities offering to industry and enterprise throughout that vast region are certain sooner or later to be taken advantage of, and as the islands of the Pacific are opened up the funds for their development will flow from Australasia, and their trade relations will be with these Oolonies. Tbe next hundred years, therefore, may perhaps produce in the South Pacific unimauned changes, which will fill the world with wonder. What a flood of light, and what au array of stupendous .events have changed the character of the world since 1774 ! Would Lord North know England, or George Washington know America now ? And in these Southern seas it is possible that the British nation may yet put on a new form, and amaze mankind with new developments. It is in view, therefore, of what lies beyond Fiji, and in connection

with probable Anstralian progreu that I think the treatment of the whole question of .olynesiaa development is worthy of the * highest capacity for statesmanship.