THE POLYNESIAN ISLANDS.

North Otago Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1170, 12 January 1876, Page 2

THE POLYNESIAN ISLANDS.

Later news from Fiji, (says the Wanganui Weekly Chronicle), confirms the generally entertained impression that the Polynesian Islands are annually attracting more favorable consideration at the hands of the colonising governments. The New Hebrides, one of the most fertile and picturesque groups of them all, is, we are informed, about to be annexed to France, and we may rest assured that such a step, ' as being of considerable significance, will not be without its ultimate and important consequences, as regarding other portions of Polynesia. The sooner the magnificent resources possessed by the myriad isles which dot the ocean in clusters, for a radius of scores of leagues, around the last named * group, are • developed and utilized, the more rapidly will approach the period when these islands will assume their true position as the Australasian Indies. They will be the sources from which will in future be obtained our supplies of tropical products, and by commerce, induced by respective interchange of indigenous commodities, with which New Zealand ports will increase ib wealth and importance. There is no doubt that these beautiful isles of the sea, over which the breezes will yet blow softly and laden with the ' fragrant aroma of spices and fruitt, will etihanceimmensely the mercantile relationships of any power, which takes the initiative in securing possession, and thus monopolising the' traffic. Np one will deny that these islands must eventually be converted into fruitful gardens, and rank as emporiums ofjthe most valuable commodities. ,Whether by English,, by Americans, by French, or by any ohter continental or European' pdwer, the flag it -hoisted, 'we Will hail the omen as an auspicious one, and will look

forward to the time when each group and island will contribute its quota to the sup* plies of necessaries and luxuries which, combined, comprise the rast commissariat of the world.