THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 182, 19 July 1900, Page 3

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS.

(PEE PBESS ASSOCIATION.) (Received 18, 9.45 a.m.) Sidney, July 18. The Premier, replying to a question whether Mr, Seddon's proposal to federate the Pacific Islands might not end in the islands coming under the New Zealand tariff, thus giving free entry to goods from that colony and restricting goods from Australia, said that in the face of Mr. Chamberlain's statement on the subject it would be premature for his Government to move in the matter. Meanwhile there could be no undue and successful attempt to divert trade from Australia. Received 19, 1.11 a.m. Sydney, July 18, The Fiji correspondent of the Telegraph says that since Mr. Seddon's visit there has been a revival of the desire for annexation either to New Zealand or New South Wales. The utterances of Mr. Seddon inclines the opinion towards New Zealand for the reasons clearly set forth in a letter to the local Press by a member of the legal profession. He shows from a geographical, physical, and climatic point of view that Fiji should be attached to New Zealand, which would naturally form the head and centre of federation, embracing all the islands between 165deg. west and 150deg. east. Tinder British control free trade between New Zealand and Fiji would be of immense benefit to both colonies.

A large meeting at Levuka affirmed the desirableness of steps being taken to bring about federation with New I Zealand.