EARLY TRADERS

Te Ao Hou, Summer 1953, Page 27

EARLY TRADERS In the early part of last century, the Fiji Islands were visited by traders looking for sandalwood. They were an undesirable type, and sold rum and fire-arms to the Fijians to help them in their tribal wars. Aided by the white man's muskets and the warriors of King George the First of Tonga, one chief, Thakombau, became the most powerful, and in 1845, accepted Christianity and gave up cannibalism. Later, Thakombau had some difficulties with the United

Matayalevu in the Yasawas. Breadfruit trees have been planted throughout the village. Besides giving protection from the hot sun, these give an added supply of food. States Consular Agent, who presented him with a bill for $43,000. The presence of a United States warship made Thakombau promise to pay. To get the money, he offered to cede Fiji to Great Britain, and to give 200,000 acres to the British Government in return for the money he wanted. At this time, the British Government had the Maori Wars on its hands, and Thakombau was opposed by other chiefs, so the British rejected the offer. Thakombau then offered Fiji to the U.S.A., who were themselves occupied with a civil war, and they did not even send a reply to the offer. Finally, after a good deal of negotiation, Thakombau ceded Fiji to Queen Victoria in 1874.