sy 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
commercially, or has not yet made money out of her governing; and why
should she now? She does not want New Guinea. Why should she go to the
expense of governing? Her colonies may be unsafe with a country of
splendid harbours so near in the hands of a foreign power, and the people
of that country need a strong, friendly, and just power over them, to
save them from themselves and from the white man--whose gods are gold and
land, and to whom the blac