INDIAN IN FIJI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18041, 16 March 1922, Page 6

INDIAN IN FIJI.

SEteLEMINT PROPOSAL. HOSTILITY OF EUROPEANS. COMMISSION'S WORK ENDED. By Telesrasli—Press Association—Copyright. A. and N.Z. SUVA, March 15. The Indian Commission in Fiji has practically concluded its labours, and is r«turning to India after the arrival of Governor Sir Cecil Rodwell on March 25. The results of the commission's investigations ere believed to be unfavourable. The commission does not favour Indian immigration for labour, but recommends a settlement scheme which will not help the planters, who are generally averse to a settlement scheme without labour conditions. Pandat G. S. Sharma, one of the members of the commission, at a meeting in Nadi, advised ike Indians to burn in effigy the Colonial Sugar Refining Company. The commissioners state that they are still negotiating with the company regarding wages. Europeans strongly oppose the proposal to grant Indians the franchise on equal terms with Europeans, and it is suggested that meetings be held to encourage European instead of Indian settlement, and to oppose the Indian claim for equal status. ' Very few Indiana have accepted the reduced rate of pay offered by the com pny, and are working their own rice fields and farms. The sugar outlook without sufficient labour is bad.

SUGAR COMPANY'S BUSINESS.

STATE PURCHASE SUGGESTED.

Referring to the announcement by the Colonial Sugar Company of lower prices for cane and lower wages, the Fiji correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald wrote:—The closing down of the company's business would have disastrous con sequences h the colony, and its nationalisation is being suggested. The cessation would cause widespread unemployment, and the revenue of the colony would suffer grievously. In order to be prepared for any emergency the Government has for warded a full statement of the posiuon to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and ,is reported to have suggested that an Imperial loan should be provided to enable the Government to purchase the company's interests, and conduct the business as a Government undertaking.