428 A MISSION TO VJTI. 



their wants being so few, and being so easily supplied. Although 

 capable of making a considerable exertion for a short period, the 

 natives dislike regular and continuous employment. On the 

 whole, I am of opinion that whether by natives or by white 

 planters with native labourers, the supply of cotton from Fiji 

 can never be otherwise than insignificant. [Compare Chapter 

 III., where the cotton question is regarded in a more favourable 

 light. B. .] 



3rdly. Regarding the importance of the possession of the Fiji 

 Islands to the national power and security in the Pacific. In- 

 fluence of a great power in the Pacific is dependent entirely on 

 its naval force. By the possession of Australia and New Zealand 

 England completely commands the western portion of the Pacific. 

 In these colonies naval armaments can be recruited and equipped, 

 and perhaps in a few years may even be created. No group in 

 the Pacific can ever offer these advantages, and the possession of 

 one, in the western section more especially, is not only not re- 

 quired, but would be a source of embarrassment in the event of 

 war. [Compare Admiral Washington's opinion. B. S.~\ The 

 Fiji Islands do not lie in the path of any great commercial 

 route. The whole of the Pacific Archipelagoes lie to the north 

 of the direct line from the Australian colonies to Panama and 

 South America, and south of the line from Panama and North 

 America to China and India. All that it seems necessary for 

 England to possess in the Pacific is an island with a good har- 

 bour, midway between Auckland and Panama, in the steam- 

 packet route. Pitcairn's island is nearly in the required position, 

 but it has no harbour. If a suitable island in its neighbourhood 

 could be found, it would become, in addition to a coaling station 

 for steam-vessels, the entrepot of the pearl-shell and other trade 

 which now centres in Tahiti, and afford a very favourable place 

 of rendezvous for a squadron to protect our shipping homeward- 

 bound from Australia and the Pacific. 



Of the native population of Fiji, less than one-third profess the 

 Christian religion ; among the remainder cannibalism, strangu- 

 lation of widows, infanticide, and other enormities, prevail to a 

 frightful extent. Should the sovereignty of the islands be ac- 

 cepted by Her Majesty, the suppression of these inhuman prac- 



