NEWS FROM FIJI

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 January 1931, Page 5

NEWS FROM FIJI

RELIGIOUS BICKERINGS. SUVA, January 12. Tho unusual spectacle of some 250 Indians assembled round and in the Police Court room caused some comment to-day. Cases of alleged assault were being heard. The first case took up the whole day, and at the end the fines of 10/- against two defendants did not in any sense illustrate the importance of the occasion. For some time there have been bickerings between the two sections of the Hindus, the Sanatan Dharm and the Arya Samaj, or modern party. The latter until recently had been makingconverts, as the old party lacked a leader, and there was no one strongenough to combat the sophistries of tho modernists. But over three months ago a clever preacher and debater. Pundit Ramchander, arrived at Lautoka from India to lead the cohorts of true Hinduism. By the steamer on Thursday last another debater and preacher, Murari Lal, arrived, and on Saturday he received a welcome at the Town Hall exceeding anything seen in Suva before. Now the old party are full of confidence, and conflict must ensue. The cases in Court are the outcome of this religious feeling. The next cases to be heard include the Pundit Ramchander, who is one of six who are to be asked to keep the peace. People who are watching the movements of the Indians can see that trouble is brewing, serious trouble. In the meantime, the Government sit with folded arms, waiting. The white residents feel that the position is unsatisfactory.