New Zealand's ' Foreign ' Possessions.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 40, 2 October 1902, Page 18

New Zealand's ' Foreign ' Possessions.

The aspirations of the rulers of this Colony to gain dominion over the islands of the Pacific are well-known, and they do not commend themselves to a large number both in Australia and in New Zealand itself. The open designs of Mr Seddon on Fiji are bitterly resented in Sydney, which is the principal depot in Australasia for the island trade, and the annexation of the Cook Islands has been the subjeot of much animadversion in this Colony, even by politicians who on other subjects are friendly to the Government. For a good many years the Cook Islands were under a British Protectorate, and their affairs were administered by a resident appointed and maintained by New Zealand. This gentleman communicated regularly with headquarters, with the result that the public here were tolerably familiar with the position of affairs in the group, and there grew up a friendly regard for the mild-mannered inhabitants, whose language, laws, and customs, resemble very closely those of the Maoris. Consequently the annexation of the islands was almost unanimously agreed to by the New Zealand Parliament when it was proposed, and the Mildura, which Mr Seddon dramatically said was straining at her hawser in Wellington harbor, like a greyhound at the leash, was despatched with the Governor on board to effect the friendly capture. As to what has happened since there is unfortunately but little information. The last despatch from the islands was in December, 1900. At least that is the date of the last published communication. The new Resident, Colonel Gudgeon, has sent other despatches since, but they seem to have contained some reflections on individuals, and were returned by the Government for enquiry whether publication was really intended, and if intended, whether it was desirable. In consequence of the paucity of information, and the slow process of developing the newly formed system of administration, it has been found necessary to further continue the Act of last year, so postponing a definite settlement of the question. But even then nothing will have been gained. The Cook islands are intrinsically valueless to this Colony. They are Bmall in extent, and the people live amid jsuoh plenteous supplies of food, whioh grows without any exertion on their part, that they are indolent and unenterprising.

But the relative value of those islands would be greatly increased if Mr Seddon's ambitious schemes were realised. In a letter to Lord Ranfurly he suggested that the boundaries of New Zealand should be extended so aa to include not only the Cook group, but the Fiji, the Friendly, and the Society Islands. In this memorable letter he even went so far as to suggest the partition of the yet unclaimed South Pacific Islands, giving to the Australian Commonwealth the Solomon Islands and other unconsidered trifles that stud those seas. The Society Islands happen to belong to France, but that trifling impediment was either unknown to Mr Seddon or did not daunt him. Circumstances did not so fall out as to favor the exercise of New Zealand's foreign policy. Only the Cook Islands were annexed, and they were practically our property before. During a recent debate on the subject some member, half in play and half in earnest, suggested to the Acting -Premier that the much desiderated personal knowledge of the peculiarities of these islands oould best be gained on the spot, and asked that members be given a trip there after the session. Sir Joseph Ward practically pro. raised that such an excursion might be arranged — after the geneial election. But by that time the interest of many of the present members in the subject may have evaporated, for few of them can reckon with absolute certainty on their return. Aspirants to fill their shoes are already jostling each other in the arena, and many a promising political career may have hie jacet inscribed above it before the end of the first week in December. In any event some legislation was necessary if the attempt to retain the Cook Islands was to be persevered with. The Act passed last year was tentative only. It expires ten days after the termination of the present session. In the interval the Government were to have prepared a comprehensive measure for the good government of the new possessions. Circumstances over which the Government had no control pre. rented this, so that the question is still hung up.