MISSIONS IN FIJI

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12599, 28 February 1903, Page 7

MISSIONS IN FIJI

CARDINAL MORAN REPLIES. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, February 27. (Received Feb. 27, at 10.35 a.m.) Cardinal Moran denies that lie accused the Wesleyans of preying on the Fijians. What he had said was that according to his information from Fiji the Roko of Namosi had assigned as one of his motives in becoming a Roman Catholic that the Wesleyans had deceived them and preyed upon them.

Captain Calder, who left Suva a week ago, lias not tne slightest doubt that tho disturbances were brought about by "agitators in order to effect federation with New Zealand. These men, to the number of five, it appears, led one chief to believe that if the islands were annexed {o New Zealand the natives would have no work to do, and then their condition would be improved. (Received Feb. 27, at 6.19 p.m.) Speaking at a meeting of the Hibernian Beitefit Society, Cardinal Moran made a lengthy reference to the Bibleburning. He said that for some time he had had information that all this matter about Bible-burning was mere matter got up by a certain clique in Sura. On Wednesday last he received a telegram from headquarters in Suva, and it declares the telegram concerning the burning of the Bibles to be absolutely false. Then it adds that the whole thing has been got up. Catholics and all rightthinking people in Suva aro indignant against the slanderers. Full particulars are being sent by letters and newspapers. MELBOURNE, February 27. (Received Feb. 28, at 0.63 a.m.) The Methodist Conference passed resolutions of indignation at the Bible-burn-ing. Archbishop Carr has been interviewed, and ho expressed surprise at the action of the conference before it obtained reliable confirmation. He declared that if the statement is true all Catholics will regret the occurrence.