FIJI.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 101, 26 September 1874, Page 4

FIJI.

[From the PRESS J Judging- from the discussion which took place in the House of Lords when the report of the Fiji Commissioners was laid on the table, it would appear that the Government has resolved on annexing those islands to the British Crown, and accepting the duty and responsibility of governing the country. The Secretary of State for the Colonies, in the course of his speech, stated that their lordships would not be surprised to hear that it was the feeling of the Government to accept the offer of cession, although they could accept it only absolutely unconditionally. There are many and cogent reasons why this step should Jie taken. The islands are already inhabited by some two thousand of our countrymen, who are most anxious to obtain- the security to life and property, which only a settled form of Government can provide. It is true that in their anxiety to secure at least the semblance of law and order, they have established a kind of Government

under Eng Cakabau, but it is so utterly powerless to enforce its authority, that it exists scarcely more than in name, and is perpetually appealing to British aid for assistance and protection, against its own subjects. This continual interference on the part of the Imperial authorities, must some day or other involve us in a quarrel ■with the native race, and besides places the British Government in the in-

vidious position of upholding a Q-o- ---' vernment which is known to be an exceedingly bad one. There is again our relation to the labor traffic of these islands. We have assumed the duty of overlooking this trade, in order to prevent it from degenerating into a form of slavery. The execution of this self-imposed but noble task is rendered doubly difficult so long as the numerous harbors of the group remain in independent hands. And did no other reason exist but this, it would amply justify us in taking possession of these islands. Again, from their geographical position the Eijis, if annexed, will at no very distant day form a very important member of the Australasian colonies. They are situated in the highway between the New World and the “ newer world of Australia.” They have a beautiful climate, and are rich in all tropical products. Their vast resources have scarcely yet been touched, and already their (exports are assuming most respectable proportions. The principal reason, however, in our opinion, for urging their immediate annexation is the danger of their being taken possession of by some foreign power. The French have shown some inclination to extend their colonial possessions in the South Pacific; the German Empire

has given indications of a similar wish, and the Government of the United States has taken the first practical step in the same direction by taking possession of a portion of the Navigator group. Should Prance or Germany think fit to annex Fiji, the Australian colonies will probably find another convict colony established there, without having the power to raise their voice against placing such a moral plague in their midst. Of course there are a number of difficulties surrounding the proposed cession. The offer has been made clogged with all sorts of conditions, as regards taxation, &c. The finances are in an embarrassed state, and there is the great difficulty in respect to the title to the land. But notwithstanding those drawbacks, we think the Government is perfectly justified in seeking for annexation. It has sent the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Hercules Eobinson, to state to the native chiefs and the whites what the Government propose to do, and to explain to them the terms on which cession will be accepted, viz., on the footing of a Crown colony. Sir Hercules Eobinson will no doubt explain clearly that the Government altogether denies the right of a few settlers to dictate the manner in which the Imperial Government shall govern the islands, what taxes shall be imposed, and what land transactions shall be recognised. But we have little doubt of the answer Sir Hercules Eobinson will get. The advantages of such a change to the white population are too apparent, in the increased value of land and the security to life and property, to induce them to offer any serious opposition. As to the form the proposed Government should take, it seems to be generally agreed that it should be of the nature of “ a Crown colony of a some- “ what severe type.” This appears to be the opinion of the Imperial authorities, although the Earl of Carnarvon stated to the House that there were several other courses open. The first was, he said, the establishment of Consular Courts. A second alternative was annexation to some of the Australian colonies, which be stated would not be altogether with-

out precedent, aa South Australia had a dependency in the extreme north, and, moreover, both New South Wales and New Zealand were anxious to assist in the matter. But the_ third alternative, that of making the islands a Crown colony, appears in the circumstances, the most suitable form of Government. Till the labor traffic has been placed on a thoroughly satisfactory basis, and the vexed question of land tenure completely settled, it is better for all concerned, but especially for the uative race, that the Government of the country should be in the hands of the Imperial authorities.