Asia-Pacific Relations Australia’s Pacific Neighbours by Elizabeth Onslow ISBN 978 086427 279 9 Published in electronic format by Trocadero Publishing GPO Box 1546 Sydney NSW 2001 Australia ABN 28003214748 [email protected] www.trocadero.com.au Created and produced in Australia Copyright © 2013 S and L Brodie The information in this eBook was current at the time of writing IMPORTANT NOTICE This work is protected under Australian and international copyright laws and conventions. No part of this work may be copied, duplicated, saved to another system, stored in any electronic or other system, or reproduced in any shape or form without the written permission of the copyright owners and the publisher. This copy is licensed only to the purchaser and may not be passed on to any other person or organisation in electronic, printed, or any other form. By accessing this eBook you are bound by international copyright laws. 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ASIA-PACIFIC RELATIONS Other books in this series Australia’s Asian Neighbours Japan: The Story of the Nation China: The Story of the Nation India: The Story of the Nation Indonesia: The Story of the Nation * Other Trocadero series AUSTRALIAN TIMELINES THE NATIONAL IDENTITY The Governors 1788–1850 Faiths, Religions, Beliefs in Modern Australia Immigration Since 1788 Australian Origins Volume 1: Afghanistan to Italy Prime Ministers and Their Governments Volume 2: Japan to Zimbabwe The Constitution: The Document that Created the Immigrants Who Changed Australia Nation Exploration and Settlement in Colonial Australia LINKING THE NATION The Commonwealth of Australia: Evolving into a Australia’s Airlines: Nation How the Skies Were Conquered Convicts: The Story of the Penal Settlements that Australia’s Railways: Created Australia How the Land Was Conquered Gold: The Precious Metal that Brought Instant AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY Wealth and Long-term Prosperity Influencing Australia The States: Their Place in Federal Australia DEFENDING AUSTRALIA About the Money: Australia’s Economic History World War I: The Australian Experience Australia at the Time of Federation World War II: The Australian Experience The Industrial Revolution and its Impact on The Cold War: Australia in Korea, Malaya, Vietnam Australia The Anzac Spirit: Australia’s Military Legend How Communications United Australia Bushrangers: Australia’s Wild Colonial Boys THEY MADE AUSTRALIA The Role of Women in Australian History * Leaders in Inventions and Innovation * AUSTRALIA YEAR BY YEAR ASIA-PACIFIC TIMELINES 1788 to 1809: From First Fleet to Rum Rebellion European Colonialism in the Asia-Pacific 1810 to 1845: From the Macquarie Era Shogunate Japan: 800 Years of Military Rule to Ending Transportation Imperial China * AUSTRALIAN DECADES The 1950s: Building a New Australia The 1960s: Reshaping Australian Society The 1970s: It’s Time for Change * Please check www.trocadero.com.au for publication date Map 2 From the Pitcairn Islands (population 48) to Papua American Samoa 4 New Guinea (population 6million plus), Cook Islands 5 Australia’s Pacific neighbours cover a vast area and a huge Fiji 6 range of cultures and societies. With some countries the French Polynesia 8 relationship is long established and close; with others it is less so. For many, Australia is their largest donor of financial aid as Guam 9 well as the source of expertise on a wide range of matters from Kiribati 10 agriculture to health to education to maritime security. Marshall Islands 11 The peoples of the Pacific range across many ethnic groupings Micronesia 12 including, primarily, Melanesian and Polynesian. In many locations these have developed into unique cultures such as Nauru 13 Maori in New Zealand. Most of the islands were populated New Caledonia 14 over thousands of years by intrepid navigators who sailed small New Zealand 15 craft between islands without maps or knowledge of latitude Niue 18 and longitude. There are also variations formed from immigration such as Europeans in New Zealand and people from Chinese Northern Marianas 19 and Filipino backgrounds in the Northern Marianas and Palau. Palau 20 Every Pacific nation reached its current situation by being Papua New Guinea 21 colonised by Spain, Britain, France, Germany or the USA. Since Pitcairn Islands 23 1962 — when Samoa was the first to gain its freedom — the pathway to independence has been steady but not always Samoa 23 smooth. Some nations are independent, but rely on a larger Solomon Islands 25 nation such as New Zealand or the USA for their defence and Tokelau 26 foreign relations. Others, such as the French territories, Tonga 27 stubbornly retain some form of colonial status. Tuvalu 28 Many of Australia’s Pacific neighbours are healthy, prosperous and democratic. Some, like Fiji, Papua New Guinea Vanuatu 29 and the Solomon Islands, continue to work through a myriad Wallis and Futuna 30 problems — sometimes successfully, sometimes not. Statistics 31 They are all part of Australia’s neighbourhood. Index 32 BC = BCE AD = CE In this book we have used BCE (Before the Common Era) and CE (Common Era). BCE is used for dates before the year 1; CE for dates from the year 1. Edited by Lynn Brodie BCE is the equivalent of BC (Before Christ); CE is the ISBN 978 086427 129 7 equivalent of AD (Anno Domini, or After the Birth of Christ Copyright © 2013 S and L Brodie or, literally, ‘In the Year of Our Lord’). All rights reserved Published by Trocadero Publishing GPO Box 1546 Sydney NSW 2001 Australia www.trocadero.com.au For links to websites of interest, please go to Printed in Singapore by SC (Sang Choy) International Pte Ltd www.trocadero.com.au/pacificneighbours 2-3 4 American Samoa TERRITORY OF AMERICAN SAMOA American Samoa Apia, by the 1850s, was a busy coaling Type of government comprises five centre for steamships. Unincorporated and islands of volcanic origin and two coral European incursions caused unorganised US territory atolls in the central south Pacific. Little considerable disharmony for Samoans. Capital Pago Pago is known of the early history of the By the late 19th century their leadership Head of state Samoan archipelago. No oral or written was split into three distinct groupings. President of the USA history exists until around 1000CE, Each sought to play the Europeans off Head of government although items of pottery have been against one another. Governor dated as far back as 1500BCE. Settlement The USA negotiated a treaty with Constitution 1967 occurred as a result of many migrations one group to set up a naval station in Legislature between Pacific islands. Pago Pago’s fine deep-water harbour on Bicameral Fono (Congress) There is a long history of bloody Voting age 18 years the island of Tutuila in 1878. inter-island conflict. Invasion by other Land area 199 km² Ongoing friction among the USA, groups and the resulting intermarriage Highest point 964 m Britain and Germany saw warships gave Samoan chiefs a strong kinship Population 54 947 confront one another, but little real with other island royal families, notably Ethnic groups Pacific Islander, action. Under the Tripartite Convention those of Fiji and Tonga. Asian, European of 1899, without consulting the Samoans, Faith Christian Germany took the western islands, the European arrivals Languages Samoan (90%), USA the eastern, and Britain withdrew. English, Tongan First contact with Europeans Currency US dollar American colony was in 1722 when Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen arrived. The USA forced local leaders to Subsequently, Louis-Antoine deBougainville of France sign deeds of cession for called the Samoas the Navigator Islands in 1768. Tutuila in 1900 and Manu’a in 1904, which the US The first permanent European residents were from Congress refused to ratify until 1929. Known as US the London Missionary Society in 1830. Its leader, John Naval Station, Tutuila, until 1911, the territory was then Williams, chalked up an immediate success by converting renamed American Samoa. Until 1951 it was administered Chief Malietoa Vainu’opu to Christianity; his people by the US Navy. soon followed. During World WarII American Samoa became a In the years to 1850 European arrivals increased, major Marine Corps base with the military heavily particularly British, German and American. The port of outnumbering the locals. The territory benefited from the construction of roads, airfields and ports, and many American Samoans served in US forces. They continue to Afono village on Tutuila Island do so today in Iraq and Afghanistan. A 1951 move to incorporate American Samoa into the USA was defeated in the American Congress. Instead, the constitution of 1July 1967 established the bicameral Fono, a congress on the US model. In 1977 Peter Coleman became the first elected Governor. American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the USA, effectively a colony with some self-government. It elects a non-voting representative to the US Congress. Independence is unlikely to occur in the foreseeable future. Despite a friendly relationship with American Samoa, any Australian influence is limited. Australian interests are handled by the High Commissioner at Apia in Samoa. American Samoa’s interests in Australia are handled by the US Embassy in Canberra. 5 Cook Islands The Cook Islands is a The Cook Islands was a New collection of 15 small Zealand colony for more than Polynesian islands spread over 60years. In 1946 a non-elected 1.8million square kilometres of Legislative Council was formed to ocean. The southern islands are of advise the Governor. Eleven years volcanic origin; the northern ones later an elected Legislative are coral atolls. Assembly was created. Historical records prior to All Cook Islanders gained New European settlement are scarce. Zealand citizenship in 1948. What is known, from oral history, Colonial status ended in 1965 is that the islands were settled when the Cook Islands became, around the sixth century CE by Britain reluctantly accepts effectively, independent. immigrants from Tahiti. responsibility for the Cook Islands in 1888 The first Europeans to sight the Free association Cook Islands were on the ship of Spanish explorer Álvaro deMendaña Type of government Cook Islands is an deNeira in 1595. He gave the name San Constitutional monarchy independent nation in a in free association with Bernardo to the island of Pakapuka. free association with New Zealand. New Zealand The first European to land was Pedro New Zealand handles foreign affairs Capital Avarua Fernández deQuirós in 1606. and guarantees the islands’ defence. The Head of state Lieutenant James Cook visited what economy depends heavily on tourism. Queen Elizabeth II he called the Hervey Islands in 1773 and New Zealand citizenship for Cook Head of government 1777. They were later named for him, but Islanders enables free movement Prime Minister not until the 19th century. A landing by between the two countries. A similar Constitution 1965 British sailors in 1814 led to conflict freedom exists between New Zealand Legislature Bicameral with islanders; many on both sides and Australia. This is why there is a parliament: Legislative were killed. substantial Cook Islands-born Assembly (lower), House of population in Australia. Ariki (upper) Protection Australian aid to the Cook Islands is Voting age 18 years minor as this is considered a New Land area 236 km² No country expressed interest in Zealand responsibility. Trade between Highest point 652 m colonising the islands; however, the two countries is relatively small, Population 10 777 the London Missionary Society set up a heavily in Australia’s favour. Relations Ethnic groups Cook Island base at Rarotonga in 1821. As on other between the two countries are cordial. Maori/Polynesian 88% Pacific islands, Christianity was Faith Christian embraced enthusiastically. Languages English, Maori When France began colonising Currency New Zealand dollar Tahiti and the Society Islands to the Cook Islands Parliament House east, Cook Islands leaders became concerned they would be next. Protestant missionaries, fearing they would have competition from French Catholics, encouraged the leaders to ask for British protection; Britain reluctantly agreed in 1888. A federal- style parliament was created; however, the many diverse regions and tribal groups made it ineffective. In 1901 New Zealand convinced a group of chiefs to ask Britain to transfer control to it. While there was opposition from some leaders. it was fragmented. Annexation by New Zealand was confirmed. 6 Fiji REPUBLIC OF FIJI Formed largely from Subsequent years saw ancient prolonged tribal wars and abuses volcanoes, Fiji comprises 300 of forced labourers by European islands and islets in the southern planters. Attempts were made to Pacific Ocean. One-third of them develop cotton farming during are uninhabited. the American Civil War in the Archaeological evidence 1860s when supplies from the indicates the Fiji islands were USA to Britain were cut off. inhabited as long ago as 3500BCE. By the mid-1800s Christian Fijian culture has links to that of missionaries had an iron grip on the Melanesians of the western Fijian society. They were spectacularly successful in imposing Christian values on every aspect of the islanders’ lives. Control by the elites European planters exploited Fijian workers in what amounted to slavery. They took advantage of the chaotic tribal rivalries to control the islands’ economy. Under pressure from tribal chiefs and some commercial interests, Britain annexed the islands, supposedly to bring stability. The real reason was to ensure the continuing profitability of British-owned planting and trading businesses. Top A European On 10October 1874 Fiji became a Crown Colony trades with Fijians Pacific; however, it is also in 1900 with a Governor appointed by the Colonial Office based influenced by the eastern at Suva. Sale of traditional tribal lands was banned and a Above Europeans Polynesian islands. system of government through tribal chiefs was instituted. had a comfortable It is believed there was trade life in colonial Fiji Sugar cane cultivation was introduced in the 1860s. between Fiji, Tonga and Samoa as Within 20years most of the industry was controlled by Below right A train many as 5000 years ago. The delivers sugar cane Australia’s Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR). Polynesian immigrants who to a Fijian mill The company imported Indian labourers on an indenture originally settled the islands were system that lasted until the 1920s. Rather than return to probably pushed out by later Melanesian arrivals. The first Europeans to see the Fiji islands were aboard Dutch explorer Abel Tasman’s ships in 1643. He was followed by British navigator Lieutenant James Cook in late 1774. At the beginning of the 19th century European traders became established at Levuka, primarily to exploit sandalwood, which grew in abundance. So intense was the harvesting that within ten years all trace of the trees was wiped out. Bêche demer — the sea cucumber — replaced sandalwood after 1820. The trade was so extensive and so lucrative that some Fijians grew wealthy. This led to fierce rivalry between tribal leaders seeking supremacy. 7 India, many settled in Fiji and often ran readmitted to the Commonwealth of A soldier in ceremonial their own cane farms. Nations almost immediately. dress on guard outside By this time an elite group, mainly the gates of the The ensuing stability was shattered in from Australia, New Zealand and Britain, President’s residence in 2000 when businessman George Speight controlled much of what happened in Suva, formerly and his followers stormed the parliament, Government House Fiji. Indians and Chinese ran the small taking Chaudry hostage. When the siege local businesses of the islands while was broken, Speight was arrested and ethnic Fijians continued their village charged with treason. lifestyles. The power of CSR and trading Commodore Frank Bainimarama houses such as Burns Philp and Morris assumed control of the country following Hedstrom was greatly resented. the resignation of President Ratu During World WarII Indian cane- SirKamisese Mara. Late in 2000 a group cutters rebelled against the poor wages of soldiers mutinied in Suva. offered. They also refused to serve in the When the High Court ordered that armed forces — unlike many ethnic the constitution be reinstated, a general Fijians — because they were offered election was held in September 2001. lower wages than European soldiers. The Laisenia Qarase became Prime Minister. Indian population was branded disloyal In 2006 Qarase proposed a Reconciliation by British administrators, who began to and Unity Commission to end divisions favour ethnic Fijians. caused by the 2000 coup. Refusing to accept the idea, Independence and coups Bainimarama, with the aid of President Josefa Iloilo, staged yet another coup Fiji’s military On 10October 1970 Fiji attained d’état in December 2006. He established independence from Britain as a tradition a military government with himself as constitutional monarchy with Queen Prime Minister and Iloilo as President. The Fijian army was ElizabethII as head of state. Ethnic Fijian formed in 1920 during Three years later the Court of Appeal politicians, backed by European and colonial times. Today it ruled the 2006 coup illegal and ordered numbers almost 10 000 Chinese voters, controlled the government reinstatement of the 1997 constitution. personnel, active and for 17years until Prime Minister Ratu Iloilo threw out the constitution and reserve, the largest army Mara was defeated by a coalition of of all the Pacific nations. announced a New Legal Order under ethnic Indian parties. which the country would be governed. As well as service during Subsequent ethnic and religious Judges and the Governor of the World War II, Fijian soldiers tensions across the islands led to a are regularly deployed in Central Bank have been removed. Public military coup by Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka UN peacekeeping missions, Emergency Regulations have limited including RAMSI in the in 1987. Efforts to redraft the constitution freedom of speech, muzzled the media Solomon Islands. to cement ethnic Fijian control and greatly increased police powers. proceeded slowly. Since 1987 the army, Critics of the Bainimarama regime have comprised almost totally of Frustrated, Rabuka staged a second been threatened and detained by police. ethnic Fijians, has become coup the same year and made Fiji a Since 2006 relations between Fiji and notorious for intervention republic. After becoming Prime Minister in government with a Australia have been strained. Resorts on in 1992 he passed measures to protect number of coups. The the islands were forced to offer bargain- country is today under ethnic minorities and further amended basement prices in order to maintain the military control. the constitution in 1997. flow of visitors. Australia, New Zealand The coups had a profound effect on and other countries continue to apply the Fijian economy, which relied heavily on tourism from pressure for a return to democracy. Australia and New Zealand. Thousands of Indian Fijians Australia’s annual aid budget for Fiji is around fled the country, taking their business expertise and $38million. Every effort is made to ensure that it does financial capital with them. not benefit the military regime. Health and education Mahendra Chaudry was elected Prime Minister after services and rural economic development through the 1997 constitution was promulgated. Fiji was civilian organisations are specifically targeted. Type of government Head of government Voting age 21 years Faiths Christian 64%. Republic, under Interim Prime Minister Land area 18 274 km² Hindu 28%, Muslim 6% military control Constitution Highest point 1324 m Languages English, Capital Suva 1997 (abrogated) Population 890 057 Fijian, Hindustani Head of state Legislature Bicameral Ethnic groups Currency Fiji dollar Interim President parliament (suspended) Fijian 57%, Indian 38% 8 French Polynesia FRENCH POLYNESIA, OVERSEAS COLLECTIVITY OF FRANCE French Polynesia comprises more than 100 islands of varying size in the south-eastern Pacific. The history of the region before European arrivals is sketchy. It is believed that what is now known as the Marquesas was settled by immigrants from western Polynesia just over 2000 years ago. The Society Islands were settled in the 9th century CE. Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, on his westbound voyage of exploration, sailed through the islands in 1521. Two centuries later, in 1722, Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen discovered Bora Bora. In 1767 Samuel Wallis from Britain landed at Tahiti, Moorea and Maiao. Tahitian war canoes welcome Lieutenant James Cook’s expedition in 1774 In 1769 Lieutenant James Cook arrived on Tahiti during a voyage to observe the transit of Venus across the sun. He named the region the Society Islands after Britain’s Royal Society, sponsor of the expedition. From French government, in exile in London after France was there he went on to explore New Zealand and the eastern invaded by Germany. coast of what he called New South Wales. In 1946 Oceania became an Overseas Territory of France with an elected representative in each of the Colonial era French National Assembly and the Senate in Paris. Moves by secessionists in 1958 to create an independent republic French influence began when Catholic of Tahiti were swiftly crushed by French authorities. missionaries arrived on the Gambier Demands for self-government saw greater autonomy group in 1834. Tahiti became a French granted to the local government in 1977. protectorate in 1844, and a formal Seven years later the colony became an colony in 1881. autonomous territory; however, France Type of government Britain declined requests from still exerted considerable control. French Overseas Collectivity Rimatara and Rurutu islands for Capital Papeete protection, opening the way for control Head of state Nuclear testing by France in 1889. Annexation of Nuku President of France Hiva by the USA in 1813 was not Head of government Other than as a tourist ratified by the American Congress. President of French Polynesia destination, French By the end of the 19th century the Constitution Polynesia attracted little world attention whole Polynesian region was under 1958 French constitution until 1963. When France began French control. For administrative Legislature atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons convenience, all the islands were Unicameral Assembly of on Mururoa atoll, protests erupted grouped together as Oceania in 1880. French Polynesia around the world. This forced them to Until 1885 the French Navy was the Voting age 18 years change to underground testing in 1975. governing authority, after which Paris Land area 4167 km² Violent anti-testing riots within the appointed a civilian Governor. Highest point 2241 m colony itself led France to abandon the The General Council was created to Population 274 512 program in the late 1990s. protect islander interests. It proved too Ethnic groups Polynesian 78%, Since 2003 French Polynesia has liberal for French colonialists and was Chinese 12%, French 10% effectively been a self-governing colonial replaced by an appointed Advisory Faith Christian territory of France, known as an Council in 1903. Languages Overseas Collectivity. This is defined as During World WarII the islanders French, Polynesian an ‘overseas country within the French sided with Charles deGaulle’s Free Currency CFP Franc republic’. It elects its own President;