THE FIJI ISLANDS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 36, 11 February 1913, Page 4

THE FIJI ISLANDS.

In reminding its readers of the fact that Thursday, February 6th, was the 270th anniversary of the discovery of the Fiji Islands by Tasman in 1613 the Lyttelton Times remarks that the story of how these islands became a British colony is typical of the almost haphazard manner in which the Empire lias grown. Captain Cook visited Fiji in 1769, and Captain Bligli, in his memorable voyage in the launch of the Bounty in 1789, after being turned adrift by his mutinous crew, sighted part of the group, and was chased by a war canoe. Missionaries landed there in 1835, and soon made an impression on the natives. But the British Government refused to become interested in Fiji, and when Thakombau, the most powerful chief in the islands, offered to cede them to Britain in 1859, the Duke of Newcastle postponed his decision for three years, and then returned a polite refusal. About that time the demand for cotton, occasioned by the American Civil War, caused many Europeans to settle in Fiji and establish cotton plantations, and in 1871 some Englishmen set up a Fijian Government, with Thakombau as King. A constitution was drafted and a Parliament elected. The venture was not a success, and in 1873 renewed attempts were made to secure the annexation of the islands to Britain. ■ Finally Sir Hercules Robinson, the Governor of New South Wales, was sent to Fiji to negotiate with the chiefs, and in 1874 the wish of the residents was granted by the signing of a deed of cession. No rich gift was ever accepted less willingly than the British Government accepted Fiji.