The Situation in Fiji.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 5612, 5 March 1902, Page 2

The Situation in Fiji.

United Press Association—By Rlectrlfl Telegraph—Copyright

Sydney, March 4

The Rev Siade, the Wesleyan missionaty from Fiji, who is visiting Sydney, on being interviewed, said:—'So far as federation with New Z aUnd is oonoerned, it is a thine; only in name. The greab idea Is the F jians' mind is that federation with some* body would mean a change of policy. They f«el that the present policy is burdensome, and that is their idea in wanting a change * There is no outlet for the natives, no soope for ambition, no incentive to rise, freoanae the people are bound with a oalfe iron system, whioh keeps thtm all on i dead level. The»gi^ation for federation with New Z aland, however, receives vtrf little popport among the merchants and indent They feel it would ba better to be added to the Commonwealths as there would than ba bijflf markets for their froi\ Federation with the South Sea Island group*, with New Z aland as the head, would not be aa acceptable to the white people aa would federation with the Common wealth, meetly for trade reasons, but in any federation that takes plage the most difficult matter to solve will be the coloured la soar question ' So far as Mr Seddon it oonoerned, he baa shown a commendable willingness to break a knee on behalf of Fji On the other hand we have had do direct commanloation with the leaden of the Oommonwaaltb. Ib is, perhaps, for that reatoa that many wh« are anxious to see a moderation la the system of the Government have turned towards Mr Seddon.'