64 Transactions.—Miscellaneous. 
for the use of the resident whites, the other half for native use. As the 
population of the Pacific, exclusive of New Guinea, must number something 
over a million, it will readily be seen that trade is in its infancy. Nearly 
all that we have as yet obtained is the surplus natural production—cocoa- 
nut oil, béche-de-mer, pearl shell, whale oil, sandal wood, etc. Other produc- 
tions, such as cotton, coffee, sugar, tobacco, ete., have yet to be raised. 
An attempt has been made to grow cotton, but the uncertainty of obtaining 
the necessary labor has almost caused its abandonment. How sadly the 
Pacific needs protection, and how necessary it is for commerce to be under 
some sort of regulation, is shown in the fact that immediately an exotic 
production was attempted to be raised, the poor islanders suffered one of the 
greatest wrongs which the white race could inflict—the wrong of slavery. 
Slavery. 
That a species of slavery in the form of kidnapping did exist there is but 
little doubt. Spanish and Peruvian atrocities, the Peri and Carl investiga- 
tions, besides other well authenticated instances, amply prove that fact. I 
happened to go on board the Carl, in Fiji, after her return from her slaving 
cruise, and I shall never forget seeing the badly obliterated blood-stains and 
shot-torn timbers of the vessel’s hold, in which so many unfortunate natives 
had lost their lives. The planters of Queensland and Fiji may attempt to 
exculpate themselves from all blame, but it was not at their suggestion that 
kidnapping was suppressed. Had the Home Government refrained from 
interfering, kidnappers would still be gathering their ill-gotten gains. It is 
true that the Queensland Government, as soon as it recognized the evil, 
endeavoured to prevent it; but a young colony was powerless to suppress it. 
Not that any individual planter perhaps, was to blame. Three-fourths of 
the cotton-growers in Fiji desired the suppression of the traffic, but if any 
person wanted labourers, and these labourers had ** passed the consul," little 
inquiry was made as to how they were originally obtained. Fortunately 
kidnapping has had but a short reign. On June 27, 1872, the British 
Parliament passed an Act for ** The prevention and punishment of outrages 
upon natives of the islands in the Pacific Ocean." Our cruisers will see that 
the Act is enforced, and the disgraceful blot upon the fair face of the Pacific 
will soon disappear. It still exists in a modified form. Degraded English- 
men can still find sufficient protection wnder a foreign flag to carry out the 
nefarious practice, and late accounts state that New Caledonia is supplied 
with kidnapped natives. All labour vessels under a foreign flag should be 
regarded by our cruisers with the utmost suspicion. The British Govern- 
ment has gained the gratitude of the natives by acting as it has done. The 
enforcement of the Act has much strengthened the widespread opinion that 
England is the natural protector of the Pacific. With regard to domestic 
