FIJI

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1628, 13 May 1903, Page 19

FIJI

SUGGESTIONS BY THE PREMIER.

OF NEW ZEALAND

COLONIAL SECRETARY’S REPLY.

Somo light may be thrown upon the statement made in the House of Commons, in reply to a question from Mr J. C. Wason, by a perusal of the following correspondence. Steamship Tongariro, Teneriffe, September 13, 1902.

Sir, —The question of Fiji and the Pacific Islands not having been dealt with at the late conference. I desire to call your attention to the decrease of the Fijian population, which the census returns give as being over one thousand a year for the last twenty years, and the late census returns show no improvement, but quite the reverse. The European population in the Fiji Islands is also less than, it was twenty years ago. Tlie islands are capable of great development, and whilst the Fijian will not work regularly, yet at certain employment, such as planting, fruitgrowing, etc., which is intermittent, he, like the Maori, would do this provided the opportunity offered, and his labours w'ere fittingly requited. The spreading out of the Maoris on new lands, and with duo regard to w r ater supply and sanitation, has gone a long way to prevent their dying out, and they qro now on the increase. The newly-appointed Governor of the islands will, no doubt, give this matter his attention, and do his best to arrest the dying out of the Fijian race. The New Zealand Parliament passed resolutions some time ago agreeing to the annexation of Fiji to New Zealand, and in reply thereto the Secretary of State for the Colonies stated that the Fijians who had ceded the islands should be consulted. How, and in what way, this was to be done has not yet been intimated to the Now Zealand Government. Petitions have been largely signed by the Fijians, but what has become of the same we do not know. From the present outlook, however, it will be some time before this matter will be dealt with, and, pending a decision, and New Zealand being largely interested, I very respectfully urge that there should be somo European and native members elected to the Executive Council. This has worked well iu other similarlysituated islands, an<l would, I feel sure, relieve the strained situation in Fiji, besides being appreciated by both races.

I also .consider it imperative that a loan should be authorised for the purpose of road-making, improving the beds of rivers for -navigation and water supply. Experiments should also be made on a large scale in cottongrowing. This would find employment for the natives, and take the place of fruit-growing, which has of late years, owing' to lessened markets. fallen off considerably; with the recent Commonwealth tariff on fruits, there will most likely bo a still further falling-off. The export of copra co-uid also be largely increased, if extended planting obtained. At present the sugar-growing industry seems to be the Alpha and Omega of Fiji. It is not wise to have all the eggs in one basket, and should changes eventuate inimical to the sugar-grow-ing. industry, Fiji would be in a very bad condition. Beet-growing in New Zealand, ora change in our tariff withdrawing .concessions now granted on raw sugar, would injuriously affect Fiji sugar-growing, and seeing these are contingencies that may arise it is well to further, especially in the interests of the Fijians, the other industries for which the islands are eminently adapted.

I have, etc., R. J. SEDDON. Downing street. September 30, 1902. My Lord,—l have the honour to inform you that I have received from your Prime Minister a letter dated the 13th instant, in which lie makes certain suggestions with regard to the administration of Fiji. 2. I shall bo glad if you will inform him in reply that Sir H. Jackson, the newly-appointed Governor of Fiji, has already been asked to report on the question of giving more effective representation in tho Council to the European residents; and that his attention will he drawn to the other points raised by Mr Seddon, and, in particular, to the desirability of improving communications by opening up the lower reaches of the rivers, and by a more extended construction of roads and bridges. 3. Mr Seddon will appreciate the fact that it is necessary to move cautiously in dealing with matters of such importance to the future of Fiji, but he may rest assured that his suggestions will receive full consideration, both from Sir H. Jackson and from myself. I have, etc., J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor the Right Hon The Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G. etc., etc., eto.