The Governorship of Fiji.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 5467, 27 January 1885, Page 2

The Governorship of Fiji.

The presence of tho Hon. J. B. Thurston, Colonial Secretary of Fiji, in London, whoro he has just been banquottcd by Sir, \V. McArthur, is explained by two things. Ono is the resolution to reopen the quostion of Gorman land claims in Fiji, which, with tho British claims, wero doalt with vory summarily ; tho othor is tho expiration of Governor Dcs Vojux'a terra of office. Mr Thurston returns at once to Fiji for the purpose, to use the words of the cablegram, of "administering the Government " — n duty which ho performed vory efficiently (luting Governor Dcs Vccux's protracted obpcoco in Australia twelve months ago. That ho will receive tho permanent appointment is not unlikely, and thu oliicc would be worthily bestowed. Tho rocont refusal of tho Imperial Government to i-anc tlon the Loan Ordinance for the importation of labour, to be ui.-poscrt o! to the small planters on deferred payments, will, however, mako the position of tho new Go vornor, whoever he muy be, extremely onerous and trying. Commercial uffuird in Fiji are at a very low ebb. Sugar, tho ono hope and stay of Iho colony, is depressed, and most of the planters :ire on the vergo of bankruptcy. Deprived of their local supplies of labour mainly through Iho Government regulations and restrictions, they wero looking with hopo, after years of trial, to tho measure of relief which tho Loan Ordinance promised. It hud received tho sanction of tho Governor, and tho Executive Council, which is the best guarantee of its absolute necessity to save the colony, for tho present Governor him shown no great readinoss to meet the wishes of tho planters. Tho consequence of its disallowance will bo to throw the country into the hands of a few large companies. Men who have spent tho best years of thoir livos in lighting against advor.io conditions aro now giving up tho struggle in despair, and leaving for countries where capital and labour have greater certainty of reward.