THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1768, 26 July 1888, Page 1

THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

The Bishop of Dundin, in a letter to The Times of April 27th, expresses the opinion that it is only a question of time for all the islands south of the Line to be practically under our domination. The rapid development of Australia and New Zealand, he says, will insure this. He cannot think that a few years hence it will pay any European Power to compete with those countries for any trade the islands may afford. While holding this opinion he does not think that the question of ownership is immaterial ; 'on the contrary, it is abundantly evident that the claims of other Powers—even when _ really baseless —give rise to complications and expenses—to say nothing of the schemes of private individuals. “For political and other reasons,” he adds, “it would ,1)9 well if our really paramount claims to the Government of the whole South Pacific could be acknowledged or arranged for; but perhaps this is too much t> expect, though I know from formal interviews I have held at their desire with native rulers and their councils that this is what the inhabitants of the islands most of all desire. Our present English Govamment is well informed, and can he trusted. Speaking as a mgu of religion, I could jwish that the petitions addressed to us|for protect on by the Kings of Samba' and other islands could have been favorably heard.