A POLYNESIAN CONFEDERATION.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1554, 11 February 1879, Page 4

A POLYNESIAN CONFEDERATION.

The following interesting article is from an American contemporary : The late Mr Wyllie, for many years the able and zealous Hawaiian Minister for Foreign Affairs, was, aB we have had occasion to remark in previous issues, a strong advocate of the confederation of the various island groups of this ocean, under the sovereignty and flag of the Hawaiiau Islands. It was no doubt a pleasing dream of philanthropy, for the benefits would be about all on the side of the tribes whose islands are situated far to the west and south of Hawaii. The confederal tion once accomplished and recognised by the Powers with whom this Government was in treaty relations, the benefits resulting from such treaties would aocrue to all the members of the confederacy alike. But it is not apparent that any particular advantage would result to this kingdom from such an arrangement. On the contrary, it is quite probable that our Government would soon find itself in the position of a guardian who, serving without emolument, has constantly to watch over and be responsible for indiscreet acts of a number of youthful and ignorant wards. It was no doubt from such considerations as these that the offer made in 1855 through Mr St. Julian (then Hawaiian Con-sul-General for the South Pacific) for the cession of the Stewart Islands, was declined. Becently a petition was received by His Majesty from the principal inhabitants of one of the larger islands of the Gilbert group (which had been occupied by Hawaiian missionaries for a number of years past), asking that the protectorate of the Hawaiian Kingdom be extended over them, with a view to ultimate annexation or confedoration. The petition was considered in Cabinet Council, and the proposition declined, probably lor the same reasons as indicated above. Besides, the island from which the petition is sent is but one of a considerable group, more or less numerously inhabited. It is only natural, and quite reasonable from their point of view, that '.he inhabitants of the various groups in the Pacific, as they become enlightened under the teachings of the Hawaiian missionaries, and as they hear of the prosperity and good government which obtains here, should desire to participate in thoße blessings, which they suppose would be the result of the extension of the sovereignty of the Hawaiian King over their islands. And we are by no means prepared to say that a confederation of the kind proposed may not come to pass in the future, whenever the Polynesians, under missionary and commercial teachings, shall have been prepared to

properly appreciate its benefit?, and carefully observe' its necessary conditio s. And we doubt not that such an answer has been forwarded to the respectful memorial of the inhabitants of Tapiteuea as will assure them of the sympathy and goodwill of this Government. The following is a translation of the petition : " To His Majesty Kalakaua 1., King of the Hawaiian Inlands. " Sire, —We, the undersigned elderly men of the Island of Tapiteuea, entertaining a high respect for your Majesty, founded upon the reports which have reached us in regard to the wise and just manner in which you conduct your Government, and desiring ourselves to share in the blessings of peace and good government, under the enlightenment which we have obtained through the missionaries from your islands, hereby respectfully rcqu<?it that our island may bo included under your Majesty's sovereignty and the protection of the Hawaiian flag. With this object we have sent this letter, binding ourselves, our children, and our children's children, to become subjects of your Majesty, and we a3k that some high officer of the Hawaiian Government may be sent here to carry out the intent herein expressed, and to hoist over us the Hawaiian flag, under which we may be protected and live in peace, seeing that we are a nation just beginning to emerge from barbarism into the light of civilization. Therefore we ask jour consent to our desire heroby expressed, but that we may, however, be governed by our own laws and customs until we shall become fitted to be fully incorporated as a part of the Hawaiian nation. " Love to you, Kalakaua, King of the Hawaiian Islands. " Signed by H. B. Nalimu and W. B. Kapu (Hawaiian missionaries), as a committee, and 104 of the principal inhabitants Dated July 19, 1878."