The Globe. FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1874.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 41, 17 July 1874, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1874.

The question of the annexation of the Fiji islands by the British Government, is of peculiar interest to the colonists of New Zealand. As the first port of call on the Californian route for England, these islands will probably bo visited by many from this colony, who would otherwise never have seen them, and the more that is seen of the group, the more patent to every one will be their fertility and enormous natural advantages. The greater part of trado with the Fiji's must be done, for some years yet to come, by sailing vessels, and this being the case, Auckland is better situated as a starting point for any vessel bound for the islands, than any other part in the Australasian colonies. There is as a rule a leading wind between Auckland and a point a few miles from Levuka, and the passage has been frequently made between the two places in eight or nine days. It is not likely with the experience of the North Island of New Zealand before their eyes, that Her Majesty’s ministers will be in any hurry to commit themselves to the policy of annexation, without a clear understanding as to the wishes, and feelings, of the very largo native population that now inhabits thpishmda. This is where the trouble will bo. It will be easy enough to obtain an accurate report of the sentiments entertained by the great majority of the natives, with whom the white settlers numbering, let us say two thousand are constantly brought into contact ; these natives are almost entirely inhabitants of the small islands of the group, and those living on the sea coasts of the two or three large islands that are to be found amongst the others : but when it comes to any attempt to know what is thought of the annexation question, by the fierce inland tribes that inhabite the island of Viti Levu, the question becomes more difficult. These tribes are notoriously cannibals, and own no allegiance to King Cakobau, or any one else, except their own tribal chiefs, and any white man who penetrates into this country, does it at the risk of being eaten. That as the islands are settled by white men individuals will bo found who will risk these unpleasant proceedings, of course wo know, for where will not men go if they think money is to be made by going ? It will be impossible, for many years, to consider the interior of the large islands as safe places for settling, and intending adventurers should be warned of the risks of the attempt, and given to understand that the trials if made will be at their own risk. We notice in an article quoted from the London “Times”that that paper is exceedingly averse to the idea of annexation, but it; is reluctantly obliged to confess that it seems to bo the only solution of the difficulty which has arisen, from the kidnapping propensities of some lawless adventurers, who have made these Sea Islands their home. The future of these islands ought to be prosperous beyond that of almost any other similar spots; they possess a fertile soil, almost unlimited water power, and a fairly healthy climate, far more so, in fact, than that of the Mauritius, at present the greatest sugar producer for the Australian market. The merchants and planters of the Mauritius, who have visited Fiji are loud in their praises of the soil and climate, and some of them have already invested in laud in different islands of the group. One great fact must not bo forgotten, and that is, that when the British flag is flying over Levuka, the settlers will easily be able to obtain Chinese and coolie labor to work the different plantations. At present this has been impossible, as Chinese were not allowed to leave for a country, of the Government of winch the Chinese officials were ignorant, and moreover there were very few people amongst the Fiji planters who bad money enough to have been able to pay a sufficient band of Chinamen to work a plantation. With a fixed Government, the number of white men who will make Fiji their home will enormously increase, and the settlers will be of a better stamp than those who have hitherto regarded the islands as a sort of Alsatia, where they could do, what seemed good in their own eyes.