MR SEDDON AND FIJI.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4872, 26 January 1903, Page 4

MR SEDDON AND FIJI.

In its frantic efforts to discredit the and make him appear in the most unfavourable light possible, our evening contemporary is making itself the willing tool of.the Australian clique which, actuated by “dog-in-thc-mangcr" tactics, seeks to prevent Now Zealand coming to the assistance of the oppressed natives of Fiji, and inaragurating a hotter condition of things in the badlygoverned islands of that group. On Saturday tho “Post” reproduced from the “Sydney Morning Herald” what purports to bo a report of what transpired at the Premier's’ Conference in Loudon on the subject of the Fiji Islands, but which is, ou tho face of it, grotesquely inaccurate and absurd, Air Seddon is there represented as having raised tho question of Fiji and as having received a polite' snub from tho Secretary of State for tho Colonies. Now, tho only report of What took place at the Conference is a “confidential” one, supplied to the various Premiers present; and, on tho face of it, it rs more'likely that an enterprising journalist has invented a plausable story on tho subject than that any Premier has deliberately betrayed confidence. This view is supported by internal evidence, For example, Mr Seddon is reported to have said that he had been in consultation with bis colleagues on tho subject of Fiji, when Sir Edmund Barton ivas present. This is an utterly ridiculous statement, for tuo merest tyro knows that the Now Zealand Government never had a consultation w»th the Premier' of the Commonwealth. Again, tho “Post” makes much of tlie statement that Mr Seddon, in spite of a previous hint from Mr Chamberlain, had insisted upon “dragging before the Conference the question of the Fijian administration.” Will it he heleved that the “dragging” was done, not by Mr Seddon, hut By Mr Chamberlain himself? Yet this is the actual fact as testified hy tho official report of the proceedings, and by the summary of the same published in. t*io “British Lmpuo Review” of 20th December last. In these reports We look in vain for any mention of the matter being introduced by Air Seddon. On tho contrary, we find that the subject of tho administration of the Pacific Islands was introduced hy the Colonial Secretary himself, and we find the result thus reported:—“Tho question formed the subject of informal discussion between Sir Edmund Barton and Mr Seddon and the Colonial Office.” Only that, and nothing mete; yet oil such a frail foundation, our Australian contemporary and its Now Zealand copyist have built an elaborate story about Air Seddon (Lagging in the subject and being snubbed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies. If Yc assume that the “Sydney Morning Herald ” has really been able to quote from the “confidential” report, it is apparent that “colleagues” is a misprint for “Colonial Office,” and that Air Chamberlain thoroughly agreed with

tho proposal of Mr Seddon for an inquiry into the condition of tho natives of Fiji, with a view to ascertaining whether a modification of the system of government was desirable. In either case, our contemporary tho “ Post ” is proved to have built its elaborate condemnation of tho Premier upon an utterly unreliable foundation. Tho only reasonable conclusion from tho facts before us is that tho Secretary of State for tho Colonies, after raising tho question of the Pacific Islands, including Fiji, suggested that Mr Sedden and Sir Edmund Barton should confer witli Lord Onslow on tho subject, and that ho felt confident they would arrive at a satisfactory conclusion. So far from there being anything derogatory to Mr SedJou in tho matter, tho wholo incident reflects the utmost credit upon him. As tho result of a visit paid to Fiji for the benefit of his health, Mr Sotldon was deeply impressed with the wronghcadedncss of tho sjsicm of govornmeni in that colony, and also with tho wrongs suffered by tho intelligent and law-abiding natives of that British dependency; and his resolve to do all in his power to mend matters must bo highly commended by all humane and progressive people. Ho found that tho Fijians were dying eff—tho yearly decrease over ten years shewing an average of a thousand per annum, whilu at tho same time tho European population was dwindling—there being now fewer white people on tlia islands than there wore twenty yoara ago. Tho only increase to tho population of Fiji has boon in Indian coolies, imported to work on tho plantations of tho Colonial Sugar Company. Searching about for a remedy for tins undesirable tendency, Mr Seddon deserves every credit for bis attempt to get tho Conference to pass a resolution on the subject. Tho ‘Test,” which strenuously pleads for a “willto Australia,” ought surely to commend tho Premier for his effort to ond a state of tilings that is opposed alike to tho interests of tho white and native population of Fiji. Sir Edmund Barton showed ins consistency in tho matter by supporting Mr Suddon’s motion for a-u inquiry into tho state of Fiji. Perhaps tho “Post-,” whoa' explaining its tergiversations on tho subject of coloured labour, will at the same umo toll Why Sir George O’Brien was recalled from tho Governorship of Fiji. It might also inquire into the instructions that have been given by tho Colonial Office to Governor Jackson with ref Greff do to tho future of Fiji, before it further condemns Mr Seddon’s, action. Tho wholo head and front of Mr Seddoil’s offending seems to bo that ho did not accept tho “friendly advice” of the “Post” with regard to Fiji. Wo arc prepared to back Mr Sodden’s judgment against that of our contemporary; and in. this connection wo may say that all -Now Zealanders have reason to be well pleasea that the Premier ignored tile “Post’s” friendly advice to federate with Australia. The Premier does well to look with suspicion upon the advice of such “friends” j and it is to bo hoped that ho will not relax his efforts to obtain ameliorative conditions for the misgoverned natives of Fiji and t-o counteract tho preference shown to imported coolie labour in that colony. In the course of action ho has adopted Mr Soddon is acting in tho best interests of Fiji, Australia and New Zealand, and with right on his side ho is bound ultimately to succeed.