88 Transactions.—Miscellaneous. 
the Malay islands is true, but there is no necessity for us immediately to 
perform the task. Our missionaries will first lead the way. I notice that in 
May last the Wesleyan missionary barque, ** John Wesley," left Fiji with a 
deputation of white missionaries, and about fifteen native teachers, for the 
purpose of taking the first steps to implant Christianity on the north-west of 
the island, and at the same time on the islands of New Britain and New 
Ireland. The London Missionary Society have selected the south coast. 
There is very little doubt but that these noble efforts will succeed, yet the 
task is a difficult one. The natives are somewhat fierce and treacherous, 
and the climate, so far as we are acquainted, very unhealthy. It would be of 
much advantage if the Home Government directed our war schooners to 
visit the new stations occasionally. Nothing has been found more hurtful 
to missionary enterprise than the isolated condition of the clergy. For 
many months they are left to themselves to struggle with their numerous 
difficulties. The one or two mission vessels cannot perform the necessary 
work of visiting all the stations. I trust the societies at home will seek a 
little co-operation in this matter from the Imperial Government. 
In the body of the paper it will be observed that reference has often been 
made to the West India Islands. In my opinion, the past history of those 
islands will be found a very valuable precedent for future action in Poly- 
nesia. The opening of the Isthmus of Panama by a canal has a most 
important bearing upon the future of the Pacific. The successful accom- 
plishment of that great work will vastly increase the value of the islands. 
Through them will pass a great trade to Australasia and Eastern Asia, and 
back again to the Western Hemisphere. Great circle tracks are almost 
certain to be followed, and one or two of these tracks cut the islands. Such 
a traffic must greatly benefit the Pacific. The opening of the canal will 
also permit the island trade going direct to English markets, as the distance 
will then not be much greater than to any other. 
That the canal will be constructed is almost a certainty ; a late American 
commission upon the subject does not consider the difficulties insurmount- 
able. The cause of civilization would be greatly advanced if America, France, 
and England warmly took up the subject ;—our own Government, I believe, 
is fully alive to its importance. In conclusion, I may be allowed to express 
an earnest wish that the Imperial Government will eonsider the advisability 
of pursuing some definite policy. Action in Polynesia should not be made 
to depend upon the mere question of the suppression of slavery. It is not 
too much to consider that the islands will eventually form a great con- 
federation ; but much depends upon the manner in which they are aequired 
by the great powers. The tendency of late years in the West Indies has 
been towards such a confederation. Under a federal system the cost of 
