TROUBLE IN FIJI

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 17, 21 January 1901, Page 3

TROUBLE IN FIJI

APPEAL TO MR SEDDOX.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—

Copyright)

SYDNEY, January 20

The natives of Nausori wrote to the Government of Fiji, refusing to do auy more work at road-repairing unless it was paid for.

The chairman of the Federal League is forwarding a copy of the letter to Mr Seddon. He states that he had udvised%he natives to go back to their homes arid wait quietly for a reply. It was from such matter as this that a rising might be apprehended. The natives were informed that every effort was being made, with th e help of New Zealand, to bring about a change in the Government.

In another letter from the Federal League it is pointed out that the Governor's action in ordering- that his speech at the opening of the hospital should be read in every village in the colony, was causing a serious feeling- to be engendered in tlie minds of the natives against the whites in the colony, especially against those in any way connected with Mew Zealand. The Governor was still sending officials to various districts to hold meetings.

The Federation League entreats Mr Seddon to use his influence to prevent the continued circulation of slanders by the Governor against the whites and New Zealand, and suggest that he should telegraph to the Secretary for the Colonies on the subject.

A letter from a leading personage in Fiji urges the removal of Sir G. O'Brien, as he was not only opposed to the closer union of Pii with New Zealand, but also the extension of New Zealand's influence amongst the islands. Sir G. O'Brien regards the strictures of the press in New Zealand and Australia as evidence of the moral nature of the blow he has struck at what "he terms the impudent aspirations of the Premier of New Zealand. The writer predicts that while in this frame of mind Sir G. O'Brien probably will be most mischievous in the Pacific. Ther^ is reason to believe that he intends to instruct the

Deputy Commissioner at Tonga to circulate confidentially his speech at the hospital opening. There is no doubt ■ that Sir G. O'Br/ien will bo strongly backed in England by Lord Stanmore, formerly Sir Arthur Gordon, and the Exeter Hall party. He trusts that the sacrifices made by New Zealand in the cause of the Empire will have the effect of strengthening Mr Seddon to obtain the removal of the Governor. The writer asks them to secure the co-operation of the Premiers of Australia, because these slanders affect Australia, and will spread, to the New Hebrides and the Solomons, where Fijian is the lingua franca. In reference to the proposed deportation of Mr Slade, the latter, in a letter to Mr Seddon, states that his Church will not accede to the demand of the Governor for his removal. The latter would have to retire from the position taken up, or issue an Order-in-Council for his (Mr Slade's) arrest. If he did the latter, Mr Slada intended to destroy it. and allow the Governor to arrest and imprison hitn. The writer also states that the Governor continues to publish and emphasise his slanders on New Zealand throughout the group. If a proper referendum to the natives was token, it would declare overwhelmingly for federation, not that they understand it, but foeccmse they have suffered so greatly under the present regime.