82 Transactions.— Miscellaneous. 
simple fact, this proximity to India and China, renders the Pacific Islands 
the most valuable within the tropical belt. The cost of passage (a very 
great consideration) will be small compared with’ that to the West Indies. 
A two or three years’ contract with the Asiatic labourer will pay in the 
Pacific, whereas a five or six years’ contract will hardly pay in the West 
Indies. Employers of tropical labour will soon perceive this important 
fact, and a great number will flock to the islands of the Pacific as soon as 
they are assured of sufficient Government protection. 
In Fiji, Sir Arthur Gordon will doubtless look after these matters; but 
ought not the Imperial Government to take up the subject? If the state- 
ment is correct that the true wealth of tropical countries rests in the labour, 
should not the Imperial Government look after the interests of all its 
tropical possessions by superintending and regulating the supply of foreign 
labour. The West Indies, the Mauritius, Natal, Ceylon, Northern Aus- 
tralia, Queensland, Fiji, ete., all demand tropical labourers, which India 
and China can easily supply. The Registrar-General of Bombay informs us 
that the population of India is increasing by 2,000,000 annually. It is 
quite impossible for India to support its present population, together with 
such a yearly increase ; should not, therefore, a proper system of emigration 
be determined upon? Our tropical possessions in the Pacific can easily 
absorb a vast number of labourers, and India would be greatly relieved. 1f, 
however, caste, prejudice, or custom cannot be overcome, there is a plentiful 
supply of labour to be obtained from China. Many Chinese are already in 
the islands, but many more are required. The Chinese make good settlers, 
aud infuse some of their own untiring energy into the people around them. 
It is to be hoped that the Imperial Government will remove the restrictions 
which were lately imposed upon Chinese emigrants from Hong Kong. 
There is very little doubt but that the Imperial Government can easily 
arrange a liberal labour supply from Asia if it favourably considers the 
proposal; but we have something else to consider besides the mere impor- 
tation of labourers—we must endeavour to retain them after their term of service 
has expired. Increase of population in Polynesia implies increase of wealth. 
Fiji can well support a million inhabitants, and when the little colony 
contains that population, it will also possess a very fair supply of voluntary 
labour. Necessity will then compel the natives to work more strenuously 
than they do at present; the struggle for existence will be greater, and a 
greater amount of labour must result. It will therefore be seen that the 
present inhabitants of Fiji are not alone to be considered; a large increase 
must be provided for, and it is consequently necessary for the Government 
to gravely consider the land question. As much land as possible should be 
retained in order to provide for future increase, and foster future settlement. 
