FRENCH BNCROACHMENTS IN THE PACIFIC.

Otago Witness, Issue 1581, 11 March 1882, Page 22

FRENCH BNCROACHMENTS IN THE PACIFIC.

A late number of the South Australian Eegister calls attention' to the recent movements of the French in the Pacific, and the apparent intention of the French Government to carry on a process of wholesale annexation. The Register says : " Last August Captain Menard; of the French man-of-war Hugon, visited the Austral and Hervey groups of islands, and saw a number of the leading chiefs in the most important places of the groups. Presents were exchanged, and friendly intercourse passed as between independent parties. Captain Menard, however, soon showed the natives that this was not exactly what he intended. He told them they must at once give up their trade with New Zealand— which, ' it, may be mentioned, is estimated to amount in value to about £53,000 annually,— and informed them that the, French Admiral was already on his way to establish a protectorate over the whole of the groups. The chiefs at, once resented this high-handed communication, and sent back Captain .Menard's presents. He then threatened them with pains and penalties'^ come when the Admiral arrived should they prove recalcitrant, and they, sent a hurried message to' Sir Arthur Gordon, the British High Commissioner ' for the Western Pacific, appealing : to him for British assistance. There the matter stands as regards the Hervey and Austral Islands ; but there are certain indications which show that the threat of annexation will speedily be oarried out should no [ external influence prevent that consummation of the French captain's visit." At Raiatea, an island to the westward of Tahiti, the French flag has been actually hoisted. This island has a good harbour, and would make an excellent coalingstation for steamers running between Australia, New Zealand, and Panama; which seven years hence, if the Panama Canal -is energetically proceeded with, will be the trade route between England and her Southern Colonies. The Fiji group „is too far to the westward to' serve the purpose of a ooaling station on the Panama route, and we 1 think our South Australian contemporary is quite right in calling attentionitothe necessity of British inter rests being 'carefully looked after in that quarter. Our Government would "be quite justified in making representations through Sir, Arthur, Gordon as; to, the importance of this point in its .bearings on the future trade 6i New Zealand,. The Gladstone Government, is, unfortunately, very supine in such toasters, and a gentle reminder of the duty.it' owes to Jih'ese distant dependencies can at least dp no harm. British influence is at present far greater iin^the Pacific, than that of any other nation ; - . 'but if other nations are allowed to ! come inland monopolise all the best coaling-stations it is very questionable hpw long it will remain so."