AUCKLAND AND THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 4, Issue 177, 18 December 1880, Page 2

AUCKLAND AND THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

[X.'ir Zeillaml Hcrahl (khlirr 12.] The determination of the Colonin' Office that Sir Arthur Gordon shall wieh from New Zealand the powers he ha> hitherto exercised at Levukn, as Jlritisl High Commissioner for the Pacific, inusi be deemed an advantage, as to a certain extent a recognition of the facilities whiel the geographical position of this colon \ affords 'for the discharge- of the High Commissioner's duties, and of the large commercial relations existing between New Zealand and Fiji. The course taken by Karl Kimberley tallies to a great extent with our insisfance that this colony should be regarded by the Imperial Government as the outpost of the Fmpiro in these sens. Sir Arthur Gordon's special knowledge of, and interest in the matters with regard to which he i.> still to exercise his powers, had doubtless much to 'lo with bis retention of them, but i\uo allowance being made for this, the trade relations existing between (his colony and Fiji, ami their proximity, doubtless played no inconsiderable part in tlm decision at which the Secretary fur the Colonies has arrived. 'Tin- nature of the duties which Sir Arthur Gordon will discharge has not yet been stated with precision. He will retain his full powers as High Commissioner, and is to exercise some control with respect to Fiji. It is with regard to this last that the'precision is wanting. It would he absurd to suppose that the position Sir Arthur Gordon will occupy will be attended with any great, commercial advantages to this colony, although something wiil lie achieved in that direction, since His Kxcolleney. on attaining a more complete knowledge, of the tradinr relation-, ot the two places, will be able by his dual experience of New Zealand and Fiji to facilitate these commercial relations by advice. He will further fully realise flic central position of this colony with regard to the naval protection of the British colonies In the South Pacific. I',y the happy circumstance of its being made British head-quarters with regard to civil matters in the Pacific the mind of the Colonial Office will become familiarised with the idea of New Zealand as the British /mini il'njj/nii in this quarter of thi' glrdie, which is exactly that fur which we have striven in these columns with a special reference to the interests of Auckland. We have urged a sustained effort to indiico the Imperial Government to make this port the headquarters of the British naval (squadron,ami the retention by Sir Arthur Governor of bis position as High Commissioner for the Pacific will have a considerable tendency to promote that object. Even should'it not be the express intention of His Kxcellency, it will be inevitable that his despatches should indicate the enormous advantages of our geographical position for all Imperial purposes. We have a strong belief that our now Governor will quickly arrive ut a full appreciation of those advantages, anil that from the great confidence reposed in him by the Colonial Office he will have no hesitation in directly bringing them under its notice. This belief is strengthened by the fact that one of his most marked characteristics is greatly to interest hiinsslf in the colony with whoso welfare he is identified, and hence it may bo expected that he will lend no unwilling ear to any representations which may bo nnido'willi regard to the advantages oll'erod by Auckland as the head-quarters of the British squadron, and will bo disposed to enforce them so far as might he consonant with his duty. There i.s about to 100 sharp struggle between New South Wales and mis I :olony for the Island trade, in which we lave all the advantage. We possos so | Miisiilerablo a portion as to disturb the! •erenity of our neighbours, who haveilisilayed commendable etiegy in oucleu-

g,"! vowing to overcome the geographical sut disadvantages under which that- labour o\v It is, however, anything hut a ivasauriflij is j circumstance for theiu that success hat tojattentod tlio spirited effort to establish a direct steam communication between lid Auckland and Fiji—a success duu in no he slight degree to the prompt reeognian tion by Parliament and tho Governdd tnent of tho importance of the effort, p- and tho readiness with which ,Sir ey Arthur Gordon, as Governor of Fiji, asis- sisted witli a small subsidy. To Auckne land the preservation and extension of by its trade with the Islands is of the utile most importance, and it is a pleasant ic- | augury of the future that precisely at 'O- j the time when tin? subject is receiving so lie much attention, and a step in ndvancohas ii-1 been taken in the shape of steam eomeii j uiuiiicatiun, the grantor of tile subsidy, its the Governor of Fiji, should be trail's-' n-1 fared to our shores, adding to the ordieo nary duties of our Governors tho official is attributes of liritish High Commissioner ;e- for the Pacific. He will come amongst a us practically identified with our lslaud g, interests, and disposed to give such aid ol as may be in his power. It is the possiof bilities connected with the trade witli u- tlie Islands which give Auckland a •rt ground of so great vantage relatively to •ir the other poris of the colony, of which it ie cannot be deprived, and which it, is ul largely its interest to turn to the utmost a- account. It may expected that Sir to Arthur Gordon will take an early opporr- tunity of visiting the more impoitant as parts of (lie colony, and his visit to AuckI'l land will give him the opportunity of r- seeing and being informed of the iniporie taneeof our trade with the Islands, and d. of the objects which it is desired tu attain ot both as regards that trade and the question of this port being constituted the head-quarters of the British squadron. On this point there has been somethin" of a rebuff. The Harbour Board tin's received an intimation from the Imperial Government, in reply to its question as to what assistance would be rendered ~] m the construction of a large dock, that [j it requiriesno further accommodation of ls the kind. It is to 1.,- hoped that the ,), Board will take tie- matter to heart, but <t not in the sense ul' being discouraged. Jt i, should be an incentive to further exertion, ,], It is merely the way of the Imperial Govcniv uieut, ami it could nut. have been expected i, that the first effort, would prove suecess- .',, fill. The response the Hoard has received ~ is nit an indication that it liar. t'liVl ~ but thai it. must persevere, east about for . other means of accomplishing its purpose, v ponder what influences it can bring to j. bear. It would be u mistake to treat the ~. answer it has received us final ; on the ■ s contrary, il should repl\. treating the ~ whole .subject exhaustively, ils.lutv is ij to take care that the door be not doVd. ;s and endeavour to obtain the assistance of ,_ sir Arthur Cordon.