FIJI AND FEDERATION. MORE TROUBLE AT THE ISLANDS. THE VISIT OF THE IMPERIAL TROOPS. THE CHRISTCHURCH ARRANGEMENTS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10870, 21 January 1901, Page 5

FIJI AND FEDERATION.

MORE TROUBLE AT THE ISLANDS.

THE VISIT OF THE IMPERIAL TROOPS.

THE CHRISTCHURCH ARRANGEMENTS.

(FROM A COEP.ESPOXDEKT.)

WELLINGTON, January 19. Peton.2 is furnishing seven members of the Sixth Contingent, and they are to receive a fitting send-off from the borough. which is ■well represented in the previous contingents also. The Mayor of Wellington has issued an appeal to the citizens for subscriptions towards the send-off fund, but it would appear if the money is to be raised it will have to be canvassed for.

A nlimber of members of the Sixth Contingent, on leave from Wellington, arrived at Lyttelton yesterday by tb* Tarawera.

CABLE NEWS.

THE BEQUEST FOR THE REMOVAL OF A MISSIONARY. United Press Association—By EJ.eotrio Telegraph—Copyright. (Received January 19th, 9.53 a.m.) SYDNEY, January 19. Advices received from Fiji by the Rev. Bγ. Brown, Secretary to tfc.e Wesleyan Mission, state that the Govevnor has accepted the Rev. Mr Slade.'s disclaimer of thfl charges of using undue political influence, which were made agu inst him. The Governor has also withdrawn the request for the removal of the mis/ iouarv named.

THE GOVERNOR, iSTrn.L ATTACKING NEW ZEALAND. MR SEDDON URGED TO TAKE ACTION (Received January 20th, 6.18 p.m.) SYdNEY, January 20. The Citizens' Suva and Fiji Federal League have written requesting Mr Seddon to convey to the Gavt«rnmeat of the Commonwealth th-air congratulations on the inauguration, and r »gi>et at nut being represented on so hi?,tc.Tic an occasion.

The natives <jf Nausori wrote to tibwuGovernm?nt of Pij'i refusing to do any more work at road-re pairing unless paid for it. The Chairman of the Federal League is forwarding a copr of th« letter to Mr Seddon.. Hα states t'.ia t he had advised the natives to go back to. their homes and wait quietly 'Vor a reply. It is from such matters, as this that a rising might ib? apprehended. The natives were informed that every effort is being m yide, with the help of Ne<# Zealand, to b ring about a change, of Government.

In another letter from the Federal League it is pointed out that trlrs Governor's action in ordsrjng "aat his speech at tTie opening of th? "hospital should b* read in every village ;n. the colony, is causing a. serious feelh.g koi b= fugendea-e-d in tbe minds of the natives against tks whites in rlie colony, espooially against tliose in any way conne? t cd with New Zealand.

"ike Governor is still sending officials to various districts to hold meetings, and the Fi; deration League entreats Mr Seddon to U:e his influence to prevent the continued c irculation of slanders by the Governor •". (gainst the whites and New Zealand. They Kuggest telegraphing to the; Sscretary of iState for the Colonies on the subject.

A letter from a leading personage in Fiji urges the removal of Governor O'Brien, as he is not only oppased to the closer union ,of Fiji with New Zealand, but also to the , extension of New Zealand's influence i amongst the islands. , Sir G. O'Brien regards the strictures of the Press in Ne,w Zealand and Australia as evidsnee of tho mortal nature of the blow he has struck at what he terms impudent aspirations of the Premier of New Zealand. The writer predicts that while in this frame of mind, Sir G. O'Brien will probably be most mischievous in the Pacific. There is reason to believe that he intends to instruct the Deputy-Commissioner at Tonga to circulate confidentially his speech at the Hospital cpsning. There is no doubt Sir G. O'Brien will ba strongly backed in England by Lord Stanmora, formerly Sir Arthur Gordon, and the Exeter Hall party. He trusts that- the sacrifices made by New Zealand in tie cause of the Empire will hane the -effect of strangthening Mr Ssddon to cbtain the removal of the Governor. The vrit&r asks him to s-ecura the co-operation of the Premiers of Australia, because these slanders affret Australia, and will spread to the Hebrides and Solomon Islands, where Fijian is tho lingua franca.

With reference to the proposed deportation of Dr. Slade, the latter, in a letter to Mr S-Eddon, states that his Church will not accede to the demand of the Governor for his removal. The Gov-ernor would have to retire from the position taken, up or issue an Order-in-Council for the arrest of the writsr. If he did the latter. Dr. Slade intended to destroy it, and allow the Governor to arrest and imprison him. The writer also states that the Governor continues to publish and emphasise his slanders on New Zealand throughout the group. If a proper referendum of the natives were taken, they would declare overwhelmingly for Federation. Not that they understand it, but because they have suffered so greatly under the present regime.

TO ARRIVE ON FEBRUARY 2ND. (PBESS ASSOCIATION , TELEGKAiI.) WELLINGTON, January 19. The Government has been advised that the Imperial troops will arrive at the Bluff on February 2nd. The Acting-Premier has asked the Mayors of Invercargill, Gore, Oamani, and Timaru to make arrangements to entertain the troops when passing through their towns. The troops, who number about 1000, are to be conveyed in two special trains. If possible arrangements will be made for a portion to visit Wanganui en route. Napier will probably be visited. The visitors will stay a day in Dunedin, Christchurch, and Auckland, and two days in Wellington.

The Mayor of Cliristchurch, Mr Recce, has received the following telegram from the Acting-Premier, Mr Ward, in reply to his request for definite information regarding the date of arrival of the Imperial troops in Christchurch: —

"The Imperial troops arrive at the BlufT on February 2nd, having to come on to Dunedin the same day. They leave Dunedin for Christchurch by special trains on the morning of February 4th, arriving at Christchurch in the evening o2 that date. They leave there upon the evening of the sth for Wellington. This will give one night and one clear day in Ohristchurch. I should be glad to know- whether the citizens of Cliristehurch would co-operate in entertaining them and in celebrating their visit in such suitable way as they deem best. The troops can, if necessary, be accommodated upon the troopship at 'Lyttelton, but it would probably be more agreeable to them if arrangements could be made to billet, say, one thousand troops at Christ - church for one night, and accommodate fifty officers at the tost hotels. All arrangements will be made by the Government fur the necessary horses to mount the troops on the day of February sth in Christchurch. Would you kindly confer with those with whom you desire, and advise mc how far you can co-operate in making the visit of the troops to Christchurch such a one as they will have reason to appreciate- and carry away pleasant memories of their visit. Time is so limited for the whole stay in the colony, namely, from February 2nd to 11th, the date they require to have Auckland, that necessarily the arrangements have to be forced ahe.t'd. I would be glad if you would advise mc, by wire, particulars of such programme as you propose to carry out. It is unnecessary for mc to add that while the Government will be willing to do a!l in its power to make the visit a pleasant one, it is the local people only who can make thp. reception a great success. All communications upon this matter you are authorised to wire free." Upon receipt of the above information, Mr Recce decided" to call a meeting of citi-

zena for Tuesday aftcnioon next in the Gity Counoil Chambers, to dooidß on what steps shall b& taken. A large musjter of citizens is Loped for.

A meeting will be held to-morrow afternoon, at 4 p.m., in the Council Chambers, to consider what steps shall be taken to welcome tlj.e Imperial troops. From .information which has. been received in Wellington, it is practically certain thai the Indian troops will not accompany theii British comrades to New Zealand.