INDIANS IN FIJI.

Northern Advocate, 27 January 1922, Page 6

INDIANS IN FIJI.

DELEGATION OF INQUIRY.

The members of the delegation appointed. by .the Government of India to inquireMnfco the position of Indians in Fiji are Mr B. V. Raju, a member of the Indian Legislative Assembly for Madras; Mr G S. Sharma, si member of the Council of the United Provinces of Agra and Oude; and Liout. Hissamuddin Ivhan, D.5.0., .of the 23rd Indian Cavalry. A fourth member, Mr Oorbett, of the Indian Civil Service, is travelling via 'America, and will join his colleagues at Suva.

The delegation expects to remain in Fiji for probably .six weeks, dairing which time fch<? members (hope to familiarise themselves, with the conditions under which Indian labourers are cmployed, and the circumstances of land settlement. Having completed its investigations, the -delegation will report to the Legislative Council of India.

"The delegation's appointment arises out of a consultation between the Government of India and the Legislative Council," said Mr Sharma to a representative of the '' Sydney Homing Herald.' "The desire of both the Council and the Government is to get at the truth about Fiji. Of caftrse, the old system of indenture, which all Indian peoples regard <as a humiliation, has been done .away with, ,but there are still diffigulrtries in I r jji apparently. About tihese conflicting statements are made. 'The strikes of Indians in Fiji, however, attracted eoiifdderable notice in India, and the Government is particularly anxious to know the facts in relation to employment and land settlement, in order to be fortified with exact knowledge in erdeavouring to bring about a more harmo.nious state of affairs.''

I Mr Sharma has (travelled: extensively, and lived for several years i.n England. Mr Aaju is on this occasion making his first- adventure beyond the boundaries of India. Lieut. Hissamuddiin Khan, who .comics from the northwestern provinces, is of exceptionally light colour and of conspicuously fine physique. He said he knew nothing about politics. His particular point of observation in Fiji is to be in respect of openings as settlers for officers a.nd nici. discharged firom the Indian army.