70 Transactions.— Miscellaneous, 
are no vast tracts of unused land in the Pacifie, such as there were, and 
still are, in Australia and New Zealand, upon which the surplus population 
of Europe can find place. Every acre of land in Polynesia has an owner, 
and every man knows his land. The manner in which the Middle Island 
of New Zealand was taken possession of was, I suppose, international, but 
certainly most undignified : two war-vessels, belonging to two Great Powers, 
almost racing to see which should first raise the flag of the country which 
they represented, and by that simple operation claiming the land. Inter- 
national law, so far as regards this portion of the globe, sadly requires some 
little alteration. The nation whose subjects have devoted many years to 
the civilization of any partieular spot, or whose protection is sought for, is 
the one entitled to the sovereignty of the land. No disinterested power, at 
the caprice of a moment, has the right to raise its flag and occupy the land. 
That proceeding partakes more of conquest than occupation. France by 
nominally fair means has acquired Tahiti, the Paumotas, and the Marquesas, 
and by actual might New Caledonia. Our Government should not acknow- 
ledge her right to any other islands. If a notification were sent to the 
French Government that British subjects have certain vested interests in 
the Loyalty, New Hebrides, and other groups of islands near to French 
possessions, a great deal of trouble may hereafter be prevented.* 
It appears to me that the entire action of the French Government in 
the Pacific was taken for the purpose of establishing a good convict station, 
and at the same time obtaining good naval stations. England was making 
use of Australia and Tasmania for a similar purpose, and France desired to 
do likewise in the Pacific, the civilization of the natives being the last con- 
sideration. England forestalled France in the acquisition of New Zealand, 
* The “ Statesman's Year Book” for 1875 affords the followino inf, 
g concerning 
French possessions in the Pacific :— 
mas aditu, | Artopere | population. 
I. Colonies— : 
New Caledonia .. x bac ee 1854 17,400 29,000 
Loyalty Islands .. "e <i ec 1864 2,147 15,000 
Marquesas RP me ak a 1841 1,244 10,000 
20,791 54,000 
II. Protected Coloni 
Tahiti and Dependencies is xs 1841 1,175 13,847 
Islands. Th ial 6,600 8,000 
os ^ a 4 30 .,500 
Toubousl and Varo am e 1845 103 ud 
7,908 23,897 
