Puinurpes.—Civilization of the Pacific. 79 
islanders in Queensland and Fiji, waiting to be returned to their different 
homes. His Excellency Sir Arthur Gordon has since returned them. That 
the labourer returns without having gained any knowledge of civilization or 
useful arts is a statement. which ean only be excused on the ground of 
missionary zeal. It is to be hoped that the clergy will not oppose the 
labour traffic, but suggest proper rules for its management, and lend their 
aid in seeing them carried out. The extension of commerce and the em- 
ployment of labor will assist rather than retard missionary work. The 
Presbyterian report for 1873, concerning the mission in the New Hebrides, 
contains the following significant statement :—‘‘ We expected to find a 
people who would at least hear the Word of God and receive instruction, 
but, on the contrary, the great majority of those among whom we are 
stationed literally close their eyes, and refuse to be taught anything either 
' sacred or secular." When it is remembered that thirty-five years of mis- 
sionary labour have been devoted to this group, such a statement is 
very significant. 
Missionaries cannot ascribe this to the labour traffic, for that has only 
been in operation of late years. In my opinion, it results from the fact 
that commerce does not properly support missionary teaching. In Eastern 
and Central Polynesia commerce has followed in the footsteps of the mis- 
sionary, and the natives are now orderly and well-conducted ; but in the 
New Hebrides commerce has no footing, and the natives listen to nothing, 
either sacred or secular. It is true that a few natives return to their islands 
somewhat demoralised. If they carry back a gun and a little ammunition 
they are not slow in using them against their old enemies, but they would 
do the same with bows and arrows. It is a question whether even the vices 
of civilization are not more tolerable than their own previous savage customs 
—unfortunately they are apt to add the two together. Still, missionaries 
cannot expect to keep the islands closed until they have evangelized the 
natives; commerce must spread, and the first step is to take advantage of 
native labour. When the excitement connected with kidnapping has passed 
away, it will be found that the employment of labour has been beneficial, 
especially in spreading the power and superiority of the white race among 
the islands yet unvisited by the missionary clergymen. 
Will the Native Population Die Out? 
Whether the native population will die ont is an important question. 
The labour traffic may have somewhat thinned the population of a few 
islands; not from rough usage at the plantations, but from the mere fact of 
a certain number of natives being unable to stand the change of climate. 
Change of residence may, or may not, be good, but that question is subordi- 
nate to the great one before us—Whether the natives generally will survive 
