ISLAND FEDERATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4260, 21 January 1901, Page 5

ISLAND FEDERATION.

AGITATION IN FIJI. SIR GEORGE O’BRIEN’S STRICTURES FBESS ASSOCIATION. (Received January 20, 6.18 p.m.) v SYDNEY, January 20. The citizens of Suva and members, of the Fiji Federal League wrote requesting Mr Seddon to convey to the Government of the Commonwealth their congratular tions on. the inauguration of federation and their regret at not being represented on so- historic a occasion. ■ A native of Nausori wrote to the Government of Fiji refusing to do any more work at road repairing unless paid tor it. Hit chairman of the Federal League in forwarding a copy of tlie letter to Mr Seddon states that he had advised the natives fc go back to their homes and wait quietly for a reply. It is from such a. matter a? this that a rising might be apprehended The natives were informed that every ef fort was being made with the help of Neu Zealand to bring about a change in tin Government. In another letter from the Federal League it is pointed out that the Governor i action in ordering that his recent speech a' the opening of a hospital should be read in every village of the colony is causing serious feeling to he engendered in. tin minds of the natives against the whites, especially against those in any way connected with New Zealand. The Govern or is still sending officials to various dis trusts to hold-meetings. ■ The Federation League entreats Mr Seddon to use his influence to prevent the continued cirou lation. of slanders by the Governor agains’ the whites and New Zealand. The Leagui suggests telegraphing to the Secretary o' State for the Colonies on the subject. A letter from a leading personage in Fiji urges the removal of Sir George O’Brien, the Governor, as he is not only opposed to the closer union of Fiji with New Zealand, but also to the extension of Now Zealand’s influence amongst tin Islands. Sir George O’Brien regards the strictures of the press in New Zealand and Australia as evidence of the moral na ture of the blow he has struck at what he terms’"tho impudent aspirations' of tin Premier of New Zealand.” The writer predicts that while in this frame of mini thw Governor will probably be most mis chievous in the Pacific. There is reasor to believe that he intends to instruct tin Deputy-Commissioner at Tonga to circa late confidentially his speech at the l.ys pital opening. There is no doubt, says the writer, lha Sir George O’Briln will be strongly backet in England by Lord Stanmore (formerly Sir Arthur'Gordon) and the Exeter Hal' party, but it is trusted that the sacrifice made by New Zealand in the cause of Em pire will have the effect of strengthenin' Mr Seddon in obtaining the removal of thi Governor. The writer asks him to secure the co operation of the Premiers of Australia because these slanders will affect Australia as they will spread to the Hebrides and Solomons where Fijian is linqua Franca MISSIONARY v. GOVERNOR. SYDNEY. January - 19. Advices received from Fiji by the Rei Dr Brown, secretary of the Wesleyan Mis sion, state that the Governor had accepted Mr Slade’s disclaimer of the charges o' undue political influence made against him The Governor had withdrawn his recur?' for the removal of the missionary named (Received January 20, 6.18 p.m.) SYDNEY, January 20. Dir Slade, in a letter to Mr Seddon, states that ETs church will not accede to the de mand of the Governor for his removal The latter would, have to retire from the position he has taken up or issue an Or tier in Council for arrest. If he takes the latter course Mr Slade, says he intends t< destroy -the Order and allow the Governor to arrest and imprison him. The writer’’also states that,the Gover.no; continues to publish and emphasise hie slanders on New Zealand throughout th group. If a proper referendum of thd natives was taken they would declare over whemingly for federation—not that they understand .it, hut because they - have suf fered -so’ greatly under the present regime

The “ Mutual Provident Messenger,” the monthly organ of 'the A.M.P. Socieyt, in the course of an article on the twentieth century, says: —Of the developments of the now buried century few are more conspicuous, none has probably proved a greater benefactor to the world than the growth of life assurance. True, a few fugitive efforts to establish the business had been made prior to 1800. and, indeed, the old Equitable, founded in 1762, is still living, and though enjoying an honourable old ago. it still shows much of the lusty vigour of youth. Practically speaking, the great life assurance interest is the product of the nineteenth century. And to what dimensions has that produce expanded! ,It is impossible to say what sums have been disbursed throughout the world by life offices during tire last century; it is difficult even to estimate with any degree of accuracy the amount of assurances held at will By them at the present day, but it can scarcely he less than £3.000,000.000, and many millions are being added to this sum each year. Mr Alfred Rothschild would appear to have a horror of Eon don water. He has every pint of water used in his London house brought up every day in special cans from his wells at Tring, in Hertfordshire. Extraordinary qualities are possessed by the River' Tinto, in Spain, It hardens and petrifiesthe sand of its bed, and if a stone falls in the stream and alights upon another in a few months they unite and become one stone. Fish cannot live in. its waters. The Tottenham coroner was informed recently of the death of’ Mrs Alary Ann Louisa Phillips, aged 41, qf West Green road, who died from blood-poisoning, caused by a nail in her boot pricking her great toe.