THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1900.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 11543, 30 November 1900, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1900.

The Governor of Fiji, Sir George O'Brien, is likely to get himself into trouble in consequence of a most injudicious speech he lately made to the natives. His mistake is to be regretted, because ho has hitherto had the reputation in New Zealand of being a good and careful administrator and a just man in his somewhat difficult position. As we all know, our Government has lately been making some effort to extend its jurisdiction over the Fiji Islands, and has given encouragement to a movement amongst the European residents in favour of federation with New Zealand. Thereupon His Excellency the Governor of Fiji advises the natives to oppose such a course, and pictures the New Zealand Government as being anxious to take possession of their lands. In the course of a speech he said: — If the chiefs and the mora intelligent amongst you ask yourselves the question, What has this New Zealand party got to gain from us, you will not have to wait very long before you see the answer. You have the land, my friends, and that is what they want to get, and hope that they will get if you are foolish enough to listen: to them. It has always been the same in every country under the kind of Government that there is in New Zealandtho white men have always taken the land from 'the coloured owners. It has been so in Sow Zealand, where the land once all belonged to the coloured people. Who owns that land now? The white people have got noarly the whole of it. ... What has happened in New Zealand to tho oolwred people's land will happen here, too, if Now Zealand gets this country. . -J . I will do what I can for you, by writing to Her Majesty the Quoon, so thai thia country may not go to Now Zealand. It was certainly most improper for the Governor of a British Colony to make such remarks about jha administration of a neighbouring

colony- ~ Probably Sir George I O'Brien was somewhat incited to it by the fact that the movement for annexation to New Zealand has been promoted by those men who have annoyed him By criticising his actions, and who are indeed what may be termed the "Anti-Governor faction' in Fiji. In a " Crown colony of a severe type" like Fiji, there cannot be two Constitutional parties. The Governor is supreme. Those who are opposed to his measures are of little account in the government of the country, but they usually give considerable personal annoyance by barking and by biting at the heels of His Excellency. But Sir George O'Brien ought not to have yielded to the temptation of endeavouring to score off his opponents by an attack on New Zealand. His address was certainly unnecessary. He must have known quite well that the Colonial Office would not hand Fiji over to New Zealand, at all events at the present time. England has assumed her position with respect to Fiji at too recent a period to forget all that it involves. Fiji was not conquered. It was ceded to Great Britain by the native chiefs under certain pledges. Sir Arthur Gordon, now Lord Stan- i more, was the first Governor, and! he moulded the Administration in conformity with the treaty and with the accepted policy of the Colonial Office. Successive Governors have continued that policy without any change, and Lord Stanmore has still much influence with the authorities in England. The Government of Fiji was not assumed by Great Britain for the sake of the Europeans then resident there. No idea was entertained that the islands ever could be colonised by Europeans as New Zealand has been. Certain Europeans had settled there who claimed to have acquired interests in land. Fiji had become an Alsatia in the Pacific, a condition of things had arisen which was disgraceful to us and injurious to the natives. Indeed, something had to be done, and it was decided to assume the sovereignty so as to secure law and order. Under the security at once afforded fo life and property, the Fiji Islands are now productive, and are of value to the Empire. It is to be hoped also that the endeavour to preserve and elevate the natives will be successful. But Fiji is a Crown colony, and will probably remain so for many years to come. And so powerful seem the influences against any change being made, that we cannot but be surprised that Mr. Seddon should ever have attempted to effect a change. Probably he did not consider the whole subject, but was led away by his will, which has been unchecked for so many years, and by the " Imperial" spirit which is abroad, and which in many minds means simply to "collar" something. In any case, however, Sir George O'Brien was wrong in stirring up the Fijians on the subject, and in making an attack on the native policy of New Zealand. We do not pretend that on that subject we have been immaculate. But we have always endeavoured, as a colony, to be just. And at the present time, Mr. Seddon can point to the fact that laws have lately been passed to facilitate the leasing of native lands, by which the owners may live on the rents, and that all this will be done through native committees, which will ascertain titles, and look after the entire administration.