FEDERATION WITH FIJI.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXXI, Issue 70455, 5 October 1900, Page 2

FEDERATION WITH FIJI.

» Pisr Press Association. — tiY Elkctrio Telegraph. — Copyright. Received October 4, 10 p.m. Sydney, October 4. In the Assembly, Sir W. J. Lyne stated he had' sent Mr Chamberlain a strong protest against the annexation vof Fiji by New Zealand taking place pending the coming into being of the Commonwealth. When the time arrived, he would take the necessary steps to protect the interests of New South Wales. Melbourne, October 4. The Age says Mr Seddon probably aims nob only at forestalling any German or American annexation in his neighbourhood, but also bringing the Islands into his fiscal sphere. New Zealand can hardly hope to make any serious gain out of the contemplated acquisition which, in any event, entailed a serious burden for □aval expenditure. It suggests including the Phoenix Union Groups and the Maiden and Fanning Islands in the empire of New Zealand. They are all within the British sphere of influence, and may some day have a commercial or strategic importance. For Australia's part, she would look on with sympathy. If New Zealand was prepared to pay the price of her expansion policy, Australia must wish her good luck and expanding revenue for some years to come. Received October 5, 11 a.m. In reply to a question, Sir W. J, Lyne said the imports to New South Wales from Fiji in 1899 were valued at over £73.000, and the exports to Fiji at £165,000 additional. Considerable quantities of merchandise were tran shipped to and from Fiji.