THE THREATENED MISSIONARY

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 50

THE THREATENED MISSIONARY

The Rev Arthur J. Small, chairman of tlie Wesleyan Mission, in a letter to t-lie “ Fiji Times ” of February 2nd, puts rather a, different complexion on a subject about which there has of late been a good deal of noisy discussion. The rev gentleman says: —I have noticed in your own and several colonial newspapers a statement to the effect that his Excellency threatened to deport my esteemed colleague, the Rev W. Slade, for “ supporting federation.” That was, I think, the precise phrase used in the cable sent by Mr Humphry Berkeley to the Hon R. Seddou while the latter was attending the Commonwealth celebrations in. Sydney. The New Zealand Premier lost no time in giving the information he had 'eceived to cue world, and, naturally enough, commented upon it in indignant terms, the trumpetvoiced pres* quickly following suit. In the interests of fair play, winch we Britishers so highly prize, I venture to give the facts of the case. His Excellency threatened to remove Mr Slade, if the Mission declined to do so, not for publicly advocating federation with New Zealand (other European colonists did that more strenuously than he) hut on the ground of his being actively engaged in a political campaign among the natives, despatching emissaries to the native councils to agitate, summoning native officials before him to give account of how +-hey had voted on the question of federation, and encouraging the people to believe that with federation they would gain the abolition of their taxes. That, was the serious case put before his Excellency by his advisers. In my opinion, the evidence purporting to sustain it was wholly inadequate. His Excellency, however, thought otherwise, and forthwith made the request aforesaid. My colleague was easily able to rebut the charges, all of which were untrue. On receiving my reply covering Mr Slade's disclaimer, his Excellency .at once withdrew Ins contingent request, .and there the matter might very well have rested.