Art. VII.—Civilization of the Pacific.

By Mr. Coleman Phillips, Auckland.

[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, October 14th, 1876.] Preliminary Remarks.

The greater portion of the following paper was road before the Royal Colonial Institute in London in March last. The writer has since slightly altered and added to it in order to bring it down to date. The civilization of the Pacific should be at the present time an interesting subject for discussion. We have lately added Fiji to our colonial dominions. France is acquiring a firm foothold in the South Seas, and is rapidly peopling New Caledonia with convicts. Germany and America are becoming interested in some of the groups of fertile islands. War vessels of all nations are cruising amongst them, ready at any moment to plant the flag of the particular; country which they represent, and indelibly mark their name upon the page page 60 which the history of the Pacific will occupy in the annals of the world. The Australasian Colonics are agitating for the annexation of the islands to England, whilst at home deputations have waited upon Ministers in order to suggest Imperial action. It may, therefore, be advisable to consider their past and present history.