New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1877.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4997, 29 March 1877, Page 2

New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 1877.

♦ The recent massacre on board the schooner Douglas at' CHilcot Islaridj• "togetKef'with" other similar treacherous and unprovoked onslaughts on the crews "of peaceable and unoffending trading- vessels among the various islands of Polynesia, particulars of which we have recorded as they came to hand, will tend to open the eye 3 of the British and colonial public to the real character of the majority of the Polynesian islanders. Having had some experience of these people, we write with less caution, and we say without fear of successful contradiction, that, as a whole, they are treacherous, bloodthirsty, and cruel; We are aware there are some exceptions to this rule., The Friendly Islanders have perhaps been the moßt amicably disposed of all, and as a consequence of this they have made the most rapid advances towards civilization. Perhaps the Fijiaris (oxcept the mountaineers, a fierce and warlike race) come next. When Captain Cook visited the Friendly Islands he was much struck with their friendly disposition, as compared with that of the people of the other islands, and.hence their name. On the other hand, the natives , of the Line Islands, Tanna (Navigators), "the Solomon and Santa Cruz Groups, have i ever been characterised by a treachery and ferocity' equal only to the Red Indians of North America. It is a remarkable fact that these fierce tribes make the be3t laborers, and hence their services are sought: after by the traders and European settlers, while the more friendly nations show' an utter aversion to labor. Their services are not only difficult to obtain, but are of little or no use when obtained. This is evidenced by the fact that the early Fijian settlers found it impossible to carry on their cotton plantations while they depended oh the* labor of the natives of that country. They would work only when they liked, and play when they pleased, and they generally chose to play when their services were moat required. Hence it became necessary to import labor from the Line Islands, Tanna, and elsewhere. Again, the Messrs. Godeffroy, of Berlin, who have extensive possessions and plantations in the island of Samoa, have found it necessary to introduce labor from the Kingsmill, Line Islands, &c., lying to the east of Samoa. It may be asked—Why not import laberers from Europe, and thus do away with the need of native labor 1 Upon this it may be remarked that European labor is not only difficult to obtain, but if obtained would be too expensive. Many of the plantation? in these islands would not pay working expenses if labor had to be paid for at European prices. Native labor,' though admittedly inferior, is cheap, and herein lies the secret of success. Further, the exceeding humidity and great heat render the climate of these islands so enervating to Europeans that at certain seasons of the year existence itself becomes a burden. The employment of races inured to the climate becomes therefore a necessity. During the last few years much has been said and written in condemnation of the practice of transporting these. Polynesians from their native islands under engagements, whether feigned or otherwise, to labor on the plantations and elsewhere. And it cannot be. denied that for a long time much injustice was perpetrated upon these .unfortunate people, by a procesß of kidnapping, which was extensively carried on.. The DaphnejJOarl, and other vessels obtained for themselves an Unenviable notoriety. No doubt the masters of these vessels, more savage and brutal than the races upon whom they preyed, were guilty, of. barbarities and atrocities which rivalled in horror (the worst' features of the African slave trade, and- which .will hand:down, their names and , those of their diabolical confederates to eternal execration. No sooner did these atrocities ■••' become known, and that they had been committed under cover of the British flag, than a cry of horror arose ' from the British public.'and the'distant colonies' of Australasia echoed 'back the sound, and a thrill of astonishment, mingled with Bhame, reverberated from the centre to the vast circumference of our mighty Empire. Britain was not slow to assert her dignity and avenge her insulted "Ever foremost in the cause of the'defenceless and oppressed, the wretched .miscreants booh felt the potency of that niighty arm whicli they -had dared to provoke. At such a time men are apt to run into extremes, and the British public formed no exception to the rule. Not satisfied with meting : oiit -justice to the- real offenders, honest traders and persons plying a legitimate .traffic were denounced as slavers and lawless robbers. For; this the British public were not entirely toblame. Theyj were misled to a large extent by the reports of interested parties on the spot. The Exeter Hall party rendered' themselves notorious'by. the unmitigated'Hon■ense, which they talked/ Utterly! unacquainted with the real facts of the caso frprnj personal observation, ithey/ relied uponiinformatiqn received from other than business sources, and their, own imagination supplied the rest. It cannot be disputed that there always has been a preponderance of honest men engaged in comniercial enterprise in the Pacific, arid settlers scattered far and wide among the numerous who would spurn to commit acts-repugnant to ■ the 'first principles of humanity. These men have done' much to 'advance the interests of civilisation among the debased populations! which society has been slow to recognise and admit. Others coming after them have not ' failed to avail ' themselves of the favorable impression they had :made upon the' 0 populations, and arrogated "to themselves the credit of the friendly relations which their predecessors had established. There are those who attribute every murder 'cornmitted in the South/ Seas to tho'depredalions perpetrated by the already referred to. Doubtless' that has had jits influence. But wo are disposed to attribute by far the major part to the natural disposition of the savages themselves. The, savages Who murdered ,CaP" tainjCooK cannot be;said to have done it in reteliatioit for injuries received. The sarri* may; be said of the murder of the Revl John ,' Williams.- . The; mountaineers in Fiji who killed the jßey.iMr., Baker and his party had. sustained no. injury from' the.'whites. The, experience of those who have had most, to'.cjpjwith the Pacific islanders is, that'they should never be trusted. They, \yill-.appear friendly at one minute, and murder their victims the next. ■ it is [fatal' to admit them to terms of..'i equality and familiarity. The savage must bo ruled by fear. Superiority thus obtained, can be maintained easily by firmness mingled with kindness. These people know the value of all articles of European manufacture, and when a small vessel, thinly manned, yisitg their coast, or engages

laborers, theiiffjcupidity is excitedyNand crSV'.befulled .into a-,"?alse:j and neglect proper precautions; 'for tlieir safety,; they-.will most likely pay, ;the penalty of; their with lives. We.; )3annot too strongly urge "upon shipmasters visiting these islands to adopt every precaution to securethe'safety both of their vessels'and crews. f The labor trade of the Pacific is now carrie'don under proper regulations. Shipmasters, must be in a position to show; that they are plying a legitimate trade, or else they are liable to be seized by any sloop of war they may fall in with. There are, we believe, six of these vessels (which were built at Sydney) employed for the purpose of suppressing the slave trade in the South Seas. The islanders are engaged for periods not exceeding three years, during which they receive food, lodging, and wages, and have the right of being taken back, free of charge, to their own country, at the expiration of their engaa«m«nt.