HAWAIIAN REPUBLIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10052, 12 February 1896, Page 5

HAWAIIAN REPUBLIC.

DISCONTENT AMONG NATIVES AND WHITES. THE JAPANESE QUESTION, A COMPLICATED PROBLEM. VIEWS OP AN AUSTRALIAN POLITICIAN. PreisAilooiation.—Klectric Teloßraph.—Copyright, Brisbane, February 11. The Queensland Ministers, Messrs. Nelson and Byrne, who have returned from Honolulu, report that they found Honolulu in a thriving condition, especially in regard bo the extend and rapid development of the sugar and coffee plantations. Mr. Byrhe, in the course of an interview, said fchore is a lot of discontent among the natives as well as a good number of whites. They contend there was no justification for the overthrow of the monarchy, and that the constitution foisted upon the country practically excludes the natives from the franohise and any share in government; also, that they aro bound to take ail oath never to do anything to assist the restoration of the monarchy, but this they refuse to do. Japanese and Portuguese residents are also disfranchised. America will nob annex the island chiefly because the largo Asiatic population would at once have the right of entry while the sugar planters are barred from introducing conbracb labour. Mr. Byrne considers the Japanese question a most important one. Out of a population of 100.000, 40,000 are natives or half-castes, 25,000 Japanese, 15,000 Chinese. With the natives left out of the Government the Japanese would be the largest element, They have demanded the franchiso, and he cannot see how the Republic can refuse it. If the Japanese got the franohiso they will rulo the islands, which will become a dependency of Japan. This, he says, would bo a rory serious problem not only for Australia but for America and Great Britain, because the result would bo a large Japanese settlement comparatively close to America, and right between Australia and Canada. Ho thinks it would be bettor to havo Hawaii in the hands of a neutral Power, such as the late monarchy, than held by a Republic whose policy is uncertain. Altogether it is a nicely complicated problem, and the only solution in the interests of everybody is the restoration of the monarchy on a strictly constitutional form, a change which would be heartily welcomed by both natives and whites.