THE CIVILISATION OF AFRICA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3052, 6 February 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE CIVILISATION OF AFRICA.

Tiierf, is probably no spot upon the earth's surface so attractive at the present moment—whether to the hardy explorers in search of mineral treasure, the active man of business seeking to extend his trade, or to the missionary intent upon a big scheme for the conversion of souls—as the great continent of Africa. Rich beyond measure as the dark continent admittedly is, aud in some parts healthy enough for Europeans, there are two serious obstacles to its colonisation on anything like a universal scale, the first being the unsuitability of the climate throughout tropical Africa, and, secondly, the presence of a teeming and vigourously reproductive population over the larger portion of its surface. Under these circumstances, it is not unnatural that the thoughts of those desirous of the spread of civilisation throughout the dark continent should turn to the beneficial influences which might be effected by replanting emancipated negroes from America upon their native soil. Even now some very significant events are occurring in relation to negro emigration from the western world to the homes of their fathers in Western Africa. The societies and the men most interested in developing Africa have begun to turn to North and South

America for civilised negroes, whose influence, they hope, will be exerted in the land of their fathers to spread the civilisation and industries with which they are acquainted. It is generally recognised now that colonies of Europeans in tropical Africa are out of question. Many of the whites in Africa say that the negro there is capable of large development, but all that he needs is the assistance of his civilised brother in the Americas. Sir John Pope Hennessy, formerly Governor of Sierra Leone and the Gold Coast, says iu the Nineteenth Century that he visited a whole district in Gambia, Sierra Lnone, under negro domination, which was admirably governed, and he never saw a happier population. In a speech delivered a short time ago by Sir Alfred Maloney, the present Governor of the British colony of Sagos, he asserted that the solution of the African problem must depend upon civilised negros from abroad. He says : " The repatriation of educated and industrious negroes from the new world is the grand problem of future Africa. The progress of the tropical parts of the continent in wealth and civilisation must be, for generations to come, dependent on their progress in agriculture." Governor Maloney has been untiring in his efforts to secure steam communication between Brazil and Sagos. For several years emancipated slaves from Brazil have emigrated in small numbers, and in slow sailing vessels to Sagos, and the Governor says that their skill and euergy has produced wholesome results upon the industrial condition of the

colony. It is slid there lire 1,000,000 blacks in Brazil who are anxious to return to Africa. It is now intended that regular communication shall be kept up between Sagos and Brazil, and the steamship coinpauy will depend chicfly for its business upon nearo emigration from South America. The African Repositary says that the most comprehensive and

productive plan of bringing that vast continent within the operations of civilisation, will be to scatter and settle thou» sands of the coloured population of the western world in the land of their fathers. The same paper thinks the day will come when Europe and America will

unite to return the negro to his home, just aa through their joint efforts he was torn away from his native land. The London Times has published recently long articles advocating government patronage for the repatriation of American negroes in West Africa, as the only solution of the burning problem of our Southern States, and the development of tropical Africa. This is a jrreat movement and a great idea. It is, as yet only in its inception, but there is every reason to believe that it will grow, and that it may result iu time, ia a very large return of negroes to Africa. Liberia has had its serious ups and downs, hut on the whole, the colony may be said to fully justify the efforts that have heeu made to re-establish the negro in his native land. The former slaves, who with their children, make up the roll of the Liberian citizens, are a fairly happy and prosperous people. They are beginning to exert a good deal of influence upon the native peoples around them, and they are bound to have a large aud growing influence upon that part of Atrica. If the great idea of reclaiming Africa by the efforts of civilised negroes developex into

large proportions, and is found to be thoroughly practicable, it will enlist a great number of powerful agencies and forces to assist in carrying it out, and the middle of the next century may see an enormous work in progress carried out by large colonies from North and South America, under the of white men, for the civilisation of Africa.