Adventures in New Guinea | Page 3

The public mind is much exercised in discussing
whether Her Majesty's Government should annex the whole rather than
proclaim a protectorate over a part; it hardly cares to remember the
names of those who have died in trying to make known to the fierce
Papuans our common brotherhood in Christ Jesus. One can understand
that this is natural; still it will be an augury of good for the future of the
English people, when, without losing any of their legitimate interest in
public affairs, they care more for the victories won by faith alone, over
ignorance, vice, and barbarism, than for the victories won by the rifle
and sword, however just the cause may be in which these weapons are
used.
For years past the idea has been gaining force in the public mind, both
in the colonies and at home, that ultimately England would annex New
Guinea. To any careful student of our history for the last century, it
may appear strange that we have not done so long before. Our practice
in the past has been to annex first, and to find reasons for it afterwards.
To others, the very fact that even now the extremest step is only to
proclaim a protectorate over a part, may appear to indicate that we are
not quite so sure as we have been that annexation is wholly a blessing
either to us or to the land annexed.
As already noted, in 1873, Captain Moresby did good service by
accurately laying down the coastline of Eastern New Guinea. In
accomplishing this, he discovered that there were several beautiful
islands that had hitherto been considered part of the mainland. It is best
perhaps to give what followed in his own words:--
"The importance of our discoveries led me to consider their bearing on

Imperial and Australian interests. There lay the vast island of New
Guinea, dominating the shores of Northern Australia, separated at one
point by only twenty miles of coral reef from British possessions,
commanding the Torres Straits route, commanding the increasing
pearl- shell fisheries, and also the beche-de-mer fishery. It was also
improved by the richness and beauty, and the number of their fine
vegetable products--fine timber, the cocoanut, the sago palm, sugar-
cane, maize, jute, and various vegetable fibres, fruits and rich
grasses--and my conclusion, after weighing all the considerations
involved, was, that it was my duty to take formal possession of our
discoveries in the name of Her Majesty. Such a course secured a
postponement of occupation by any Power till our Government could
consider its own interests, and whilst the acquisition of these islands
might commend itself, and my act result in annexation on the one hand,
it might be negatived on the other with easy simplicity, by a neglect to
confirm it."
Accordingly, a cocoanut tree was transformed into a flagstaff, the
British flag was run up, and duly saluted with cheers and volleys, and a
picture of the proceeding adorns the captain's book as frontispiece.
Ever since that time events have tended in the direction of bringing
New Guinea into closer relations with England. On the one hand, there
has been the conviction that if we do not annex it some other country
will, and thus threaten Australia. Then many Australians have looked
upon New Guinea as a possible paradise for colonists, and have been
eager to establish themselves securely upon its soil. The attempts in this
direction have produced little but disaster to all concerned.
On the other hand, missionaries feel that there is much to be said on the
same side. Perhaps the opinion of no one man deserves more weight
than that of Mr. Chalmers. We give his views, as he expressed them
before the protectorate was proclaimed.
"This question of the annexation of New Guinea is still creating a good
deal of interest, and although at present the Imperial Government,
through Lord Derby, has given its decision against annexation, yet the
whole matter must, I have no doubt, be reconsidered, and the island be

eventually annexed. It is to be hoped the country is not to become part
of the Australian colonies--a labour land, and a land where loose
money in the hands of a few capitalists is to enter in and make
enormous fortunes, sacrificing the natives and everything else. If the
Imperial Government is afraid of the expense, I think that can easily be
avoided. Annex New Guinea, and save it from another power, who
might harass our Australian colonies; administer it for the natives, and
the whole machinery of government can be maintained by New Guinea,
and allow a large overplus. We have all the experience of the Dutch in
Java; I say, accept and improve.
"It will be said that, as a nation, Britain has never tried to govern