FIJI.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6069, 27 October 1887, Page 3

FIJI.

The Proposed Annexation. [Special to the " Star."] AUCKLAND, Oct. 27. The question ia again being asked in Auckland, Will nobody annex Fiji ? The task, it is admitted, is not altogether an easy one, for it is impossible to say how much annexation it will take to satisfy the Fijianß. The Islands have already been annexed by Great Britain, with the full consent of King Thakombau, of pious and cannibalistic memory ; and the Colony has teen more tightly annexed quite recently, by being received into the charmed circle of Australian Federation. But it ia still crying out for annexation. After making an unsuccessful advance to Now Zealand, the poor colonists have made a bolder and more formal approach to Victoria, and in a petition of fourteen clauses and two prayers, have laid their caso before the Legislative Assembly of Victoria. The declaration may bo accepted aa prophetic of the decision of the Victorian Parliament. If New Zealand, which is one thousand miles nearer to Fiji than Victoria, can not see there way to assume control of these islands, no other Colony will. The Kerxnadec Islands, now annexed to this Colony, are stepping stones towards Fiji, Tonga and, Karatonga. New Zealand having already aNativo population to control, could most efficiently take in hand the Polynesian Islanders. Meanwhile the case of Fijiisfitted to excite commißeration.but future developments may cause alarm. What, if foiled in obtaining a closer alliance with Australasia, the Fijians should make overtures to France or Germany ? Would not Dancan Gillies be the first to " yell," if bellicose Boulanger or bounceable Bismarck proposed an alliance flirtation with this daughter of the Blue Pacific. The Fijian colonists, if they aro wise, will cultivate a New Zealand alliance, but there is no saying what extreme step may be taken by men who are exasperated by the "iron yoke of a Crown Colony of a severe type."