FIJI'S FUTURE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18912, 29 January 1927, Page 15

FIJI'S FUTURE.

... . «. CENTRE OF PACIFIC EMPIRE MR KRL'CE'S PREDICTION. (BY 'CASLE-TRSSS ABSO'JIATIO.N COPTBIGHT.) UL-STP.Ai.iA:; m;d n\2. cable associatio:;.) SUVA, January 23. .Mr Bruce was the guest of the Governor, Sir Jiyre tlutsou, tliis morning, unci subsequently of tlie Mayor. .Mr Marks, at :i civic reception. at t!ie latter, Mr Bruce reviewed ttic position of the Empire. As the result ot the Imperial Conterencc, he said that the status of the selfgoverning Dominions 'was now clearly de/ined. The principle of full partnership. and joint responsibility had been definitely established. This was not without its -significance to what tic termed the dependent colonies of the Empire. The path of their national evolution was clearly blazed. Australia and the other Dominions had been where Fiji and tho. other colonies now were. ■\Yhat the former had become was possible, to all. The process, in his opinion, would not be as slow as one was apt to think, particularly as far as the Pacific Islands were concerned. The rapid growth of the larger Pacific countries and the expanding trade would increase the international importance of this great ocean and would decelerate development to an enormous extent. All wouid advance together. The time would undoubtedly come \vlien Fiji would be the centre of an important Pacific Island Empire Stretching across tho ocean and banded together by common interests, enjoying the fullest rights of independent selfgovernment and partnership in the larger British Empire. It was a great'thing, to .have faith in one's own country and*to know that hei progress was definitely assured. It was an even greater thing to belong to an Empire which would ensure that development in peace and grant new freedom and more important status with every progressive step.