SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 200, 29 August 1874, Page 2

SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

(From Hansard.) Mr. Vogel, in laying upon the table papers relating to the South Sea Islands, said :—“ I hope the House will allow me to make a few remarks respecting them. The papers are of a very important nature, and so much has already been said upon the subject, that I think it is a pity not to make some explanation, especially as allusion has been made to it in the opening speechuf His Excellency the Governor. The papers will naturally suggest to the minds of honorable members the question as to the course which the Government propose to take upon the subject. I venture to express the opinion that honorable members will find the papers to be of an exceedingly interesting character. They contain a compilation of information from official and other sources, that could be referred to, concerning the South Sea Islands ; and papers that have been published at various times are here brought together, aud combine a very large amount of interesting matter. There is also a very useful map attached. There are various ministerial memoranda, addresses to Her Majesty, despatches to and from the Secretary of State for the Colonies and the Governor; general reports on the islands by Mr. Seed; a report by the same gentleman on the Navigator group; very interesting reports prepared by a gentleman who lived a very long time in the islands, and who now resides in Auckland; and a series of papers, written by the same gentleman, which have been published in one of the Auckland papers —the Southern Cross. The question which will present itself to the minds of honorable members is, as to the course which the Government propose to take in reference to the subject dealt with by these papers—upon the question of establishing, or encouraging by a subsidy the establishment of a commercial company to trade between New Zealand and the South Sea Islands. Whether or not we proceed with this question this session, I do not hesitate to express the opinion that it is one of very great importance to New Zealand, and one which well deserves the consideration and attention of honorable members. I am quite aware that any proposal of the kind is open to the objection, which we have seen and heard put forward, about the Government engaging in occupations which it is desirable should be left to private enterprise to carry out, and also to the theoretical objection that trade cannot be controlled. For my part, I think that that maxim is one which every day’s experience contradicts. It is quite true, rivers will not ascend to the sea, but they may descend by many different channels, natural and artificial. So with the rivers of trade which run to the ocean of commerce: they may not be forced into unnatural conditions, but naturally, they may find many channels, some of them artificially constructed. No one can go into any of the large towns in the home country without noticing some branch of trade and commerce opened up and established as the result of individual enterprise; and we may find the stupe kind of thing existing in New Zealand. If we visit one of the principle cities in the colony, we find a number of wholesale establishments, the owners of which carry on business throughout the colony. In many cases there would have been nothing to prevent those persons from carrying on those businesses in other parts of the colony, and making that part the centre of their trade. All competition in business contradicts the maxim that trade cannot be controlled ; for by exertion and enterprise the course of trade is directed. I may give another example, for the correctness of which I can vouch. A gentleman whois engagedin a large business in New Caledonia, and who is or was the contractor for supplying to the Government nearly all their lange requirements for the convict stations, was desirous of carrying on his business from Auckland; but he was unable to do so on account, of want of the proper facilities, and he has transferred the seat of his operations—whether temporarily or permanently it is not for me to say —to Sydney. I fear also, in coining down with any proposal relative to opening up a trade with the South Sea Islands, that it may be characterized as a “ South Sea Bubble." When the immigration and public works policy was first propounded, it was characterized, both in this House and out of it, as a “ South Sea Bubble ;” but I think those who have honestly watched its progress from that time, cannot be otherwise than of the opinion that it was a policy of a very substantial character. Although I am well aware of the difficulty of bringing forward any proposal on this subject which may not be open to ridicule on account of the circumstances immediately surrounding a former scheme, still there is nothing in the present proposal of which the Government have any cause to be ashamed, and which they would not be quite prepared to leave to its own merits. The so-called “ South Sea Bubble ” of former times might in this day be a success; and, indeed, might then have been, had not its promoters set. themselves to entirely different objects to those which ostensibly gave rise to the undertaking. If our ancestors, who revered the great explorers of their day, could revisit this earth, how amazed they would be! They did not hesitate to lavish blood and treasure on islands like those of the West Indies, almost every one of which has been the seat of a war. But we, with countless islands, not inferior, at our feet, refuse to stretch out our hand to secure by peaceful means that trade and commerce. To my mind, the proposal shadowed forth in these papers would tend, not to diminish the efficacy of the immigration and public works policy on which the Government and the country have embarked, but would rather encourage it. We have in New Zealand a country capable of sustaining a very large population, and we should endeavor to fit it for the home of such a population by applying to it all the means at our command for developing its resources. With a large population we must avoid forcing their attention to only oue or two branches of industry: we must not fall into that, mistake ; we should endeavor to provide the means for those whose inclinations lead them in the direction of commercial enterprise or maritime enterprise, to pursue the careers'which they desire—we should give scope to their enterprise. We have the means before us of opening up to the young men of New Zealand, of this day and the days to come, a field for maritime enterprise’and commercial operations, which cannot fail to have a beneficial effect on the character of the country, apart from any immediate

effect which may arise from their operations. I do not intend to say to what extent my aspirations go; but I desire to see New Zealand become the head-quar-ter’s of the British possession in Polynesia. I think, from its geographical position, from its climate, and from the character of its people, it is not too much to expect that it will arrive at that position, and that the day is not far distant when the Governor of New Zealand will be the Governor-General of the Polynesian Islands, owning British sway. I trust that these islands will not be allowed to continue in their present state. They have countless resources waiting to be developed by the energy of those who are disposed to become their possessors. Honorable members will gather from these papers that New Zealand has a very large work to perform in connection with these islands, not only of amomeutary nature, but also in regard to the ulterior results —results which will make New Zealand attractive not only with rewpect to its internal resources, but to outside resources, —its maritime and commercial resources. lam not able to say that the Government intend to proceed with any measure on the subject this session : very much will depend upon the opinion which honorable members may entertain upon the subject. It is not a question of a party nature. There are certain questions, and especially questions relating to trade, which are not party questions, as will be seen from the fact that in the last session of the Imperial Parliament, Mr. Gladstones himself expressed a warm admiration for the Conservative budget. Honorable members should feel quite independent of party considerations in expressing their opinions upon the subject. If the Government see that it is the desire of the House to carry this matter further at the present time, we may proceed with the measure this session. In the meantime, I would ask honorable members to study these papers carefully—they are well worthy attention.