TRUTH ABOUT FIJI

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 13, 17 January 1922, Page 2

TRUTH ABOUT FIJI

INDIAN DELEGATION TO INQUIRE.

(FBOH OCR OWH COKMIPOmiRT.) SYDNEY, 11th January. The position of Indians at Fiji is shortly to be inquired-into by a delegation appointed by the Government of India. The delegation, which is now in Sydney, consists of Mr. B. V. Raju; a member of the' Indian Legislative Assembly for Madras, Mr. G. S. Sharm*. a member,of the Council of the United Provinces of Agra and Cude;' and Lieu-' tenant Hiss»muddin Khan, yD.S.O., of the 23rd' Indian* Cavalry. . . . The delegation expects ito remain in Fiji for probably six weeks. During their stay there the members hope to familiarise themselves with the conditions under which Indian labourers, are employed, and the circumstances of land settlement. At the conclusion of its investigations the delegation' will furnish a report to the Legislative Council of India. , - A member of the delegation explained that its appointment arose out of » consultation between the . Government' of India and the Legislative Council. "The desire of both, the Council and the Government is to get *t the truth about Fiji," he eaid. "Of course, the old system of indenture, which all Indian peoples regard as a humiliation, has been done away with, but there are still difficulties, in" Fiji apparently. About these, conflicting statements are made. The strikes of Indians in Fiji, however, attracted considerable notice in India; and the Government is particularly anxious to know the fact* in relation to employment and land settlement, in order to be fortified with exact knowledge in endeavouring to bring about a more harmonious state of affairs." Lieutenant Hissamuddin Khan will make a particular point of observation in Fiji in respect of openings as settlers for officers and men discharged from tho Indian army. The delegation will proceed to Suva by the Makura, which sails to-morrow.