428 A MISSION TO VITI. 
their wants being so few, and being so easily supplied. Although 
capable of making a considerable exertion for a short period, the 
natives dislike regular and continuous employment. On the 
whole, I am of opinion that whether by natives or by white 
planters with native labourers, the supply of cotton from Fiji 
can never be otherwise than insignificant. [Compare Chapter 
III., where the cotton question is regarded in a more favourable 
light.—B. 8.] 
3rdly. Regarding the importance of the possession of the Fiji 
Islands to the national power and security in the Pacific. In- 
fluence of a great power in the Pacific is dependent entirely on 
its naval force. By the possession of Australia and New Zealand 
England completely commands the western portion of the Pacific. 
In these colonies naval armaments can be recruited and equipped, 
aud perhaps in a few years may even be created. No group in 
the Pacific can ever offer these advantages, and the possession of 
one, in the western section more especially, is not only not re- 
quired, but would be a source of embarrassment in the event of 
war. [Compare Admiral Washington’s opinion.—B.8.] The 
Fiji Islands do not lie in the path of any great commercial 
route. The whole of the Pacific Archipelagoes lie to the north 
of the direct line from the Australian colonies to Panama and 
South America, and south of the line from Panama and North 
America to China and India. All that it seems necessary for 
England to possess in the Pacific is an island with a good har- 
bour, midway between Auckland and Panama, in the steam- 
packet route. Pitcairn’s island is nearly in the required position, 
but it has no harbour. If a suitable island in its neighbourhood 
could be found, it would become, in addition to a coaling station 
for steam-vessels, the entrepdét of the pearl-shell and other trade 
which now centres in Tahiti, and afford a very favourable place 
of rendezvous for a squadron to protect our shipping homeward- 
bound from Australia and the Pacific. 
Of the native population of Fiji, less than one-third profess the 
Christian religion; among the remainder cannibalism, strangu- 
lation of widows, infanticide, and other enormities, prevail to a 
frightful extent. Should the sovereignty of the islands be ac- 
cepted by Her Majesty, the suppression of these inhuman prac-. 
