FIJI.

Otago Witness, Issue 1068, 18 May 1872, Page 7

FIJI.

(FROM OUR AUCKLAND CORRESPONDED T. )

It'is necessary to know something of the state of parties in Fiji in order to comprehend the full importance of the crisis through which it has just passed. The two great chiefs of the country are Cakobau and Maafu. Cakobau is representative of the Fijians pure and simple, and descendant of a family which has for generations ruled over Bau, the paramount tribe in Fiji. His rival, Maafu, is a Tongan by birth, and first made his appearance in Fiji 25 or 30 years ago. He came as an exile — banished for an attempt to overthrow the King of Tonga, to whom he is the next heir. Cakobau is an able, astute, and energetic man, very arrogant, but ignorant of the world outside of Fiji. Maafu 'is equally able, with the advantage of belonging to a race christianised half a century before the Fijians, and by nature more hardy and of stronger fibre than the natives of that country. His son Charley was sent to school in Sydney, is English in style and manner, and a favourite with the settlers, Maafu is well informed, and takes an intelligent interest in what goes on in the world. On arriving in Fiji he found large numbers of his countrymen settled in the Windward Islands, always occupying the highest positions, either as warriors or missionary teachers. He obtained a ready home and cordial welcome among the chiefs with whom it had long been the policy of the Tongans to form alliances, by marriages. In person and character the Tongans resemble the Maoris, but are of lighter colour, and the straight-haired descendants of these mixed marriages are easily distinguished among the wiry curls adorning the heads of the blue-blood of Fiji. Maafu soon had a powerful party around him, and adopted a shrewd policy by helping the weaker side in the numerous tribal feuds which constantly occurred. Having thus overpowered the stronger of the two, both tribes were afterwards glad to look to him for protection and to acknowledge Mm as chief. His following in the course of

years became so large that there is no doubt he would have swept away the power of Bau and established a new dynasty, had not the advent of the white men saved Cakobau by the resources they placed at his disposal. The position of the settlers, so long as Maafu and Cakobau continued rivals, was one of great importance. They could at any moment turn the scale, andwer.e courted and feared by both sides.

Now, one of the first acts of the Government was to bring about, with much pains, the submission of Maafu to Cakobau, on the secret understanding, it is said, that Maafu is to succeed Cakobau as king — a succession which would most probably only be settled by a civil war. It is very unlikely that Oakobau, having sons of whom he is very fond, would unconditionally abandon their claims. If there be this secret treaty (which is positively averred) it is difficult to understand how it can be made binding on those whose rights are recognised and whose persons are venerated as descendants of Bau throughout the greater part of Fiji. The union of the two chiefs and the isolated position of the settlers has been a subject of much comment, and the policy by which it was accomplished regarded with great dislike. Not content with this, the Government devoted its first efforts to the organisation and arming of a powerful native force. Maafu has long had a fine body of men well armed, and drilled in European style. A similar force at Cakobau's disposal was, perhaps, necessary for the support of his power, but, unfortunately, the tone adopted by some members of the Government led to an impression that it was designed rather to carry out their personal views, and might subject the settlers to the intolerable despotism of an ignorant native king, counselled by unknown men, in whom they had no trust. The only two known members of Government were merchants much occupied with their own affairs, and who •might not themselves have been able to control a despotic power if its foundations were once securely laid. When, after several abortive attempts at Government, the people of Levuka awoke one morning to find that Cakobau had appointed an Executive, and that in future he (Cakobau) would make laws for the well being of his country, it was a veritable coup d'etat that had 'been accomplished. Up to that day each nationality had been ruled by, and was subject to, its Council. Henceforth they were to be subject to the laws of a community whose manners and customs they abhorred, and whose rulers were incapable of understanding any other form of society than one of chiefs governing the abject slaves whose lives, liberty, and property they held entirely at their disposal. A resolute opposition at once sprung into existence, bent on wresting power from the hands of the chiefs and placing it in that of an elected Legislature. Hence the determined resistance to the laws promulgated at first by the sole authority of Cakobau. Hence also the open interference of organised bodies of settlers resolved that no one of their number should be amenable to other authority than that of the Consuls, so long as that authority was exercised by men owing their position solely to appointment by a savage chief. The leading spirits in the formation of the Government were Lieut. Woods, R.N., formerly of New Zealand, and Mr Burt, formerly of Sydney. They were new men, known to few of the residents. Instead of disarming a jealous opposition by conciliatory behaviour, a deputation, which waited on them soon after their appointment, was reminded that the country was Fijian, and that the laws must be obeyed. If they did not like the laws, these settlers were coolly told that they who had spent all they possessed in developing its resources, might leave i the country. After this, there could be no peace, and the Government found itself opposed at every step, till a Constituent Assembly was convened, and a liberal constitution obtained. Messrs Burt and Woods will stand out promi- j nently in the future history of Fiji, j When passions roused by a bitter struggle are cooled, they will receive the meed of praise due to the bold course they have pursued. Men, knowing more of the con- j flicting elements with which they had to deal, or more timid in character, would never have faced the difficulties, or encountered the obloquy which they must have foreseen would follow an attempt to organise a Government without previous consultation with the settlers. Yet, judging by abortive efforts in the same direction on several previous occasions, it is equally certain that there was too much difference of opinion among the settlers on serious points of Native policy to render practicable the establishment of Government in any other way than that by which it has been accomplished. Messrs Smith and Hennings, two old residents, much respected and with large business connections . in the Islands', were a source of strength, and carried the Government

over the first opposition organised against it. But both of these gentlemen, knowing the settlers and having large interests at stake, were careful of giving offence by [ tall talk or high-handed proceedings. Consequently, the Opposition has care- [ fully exempted them from its censures, [ and ended by asking that the Govern- ! ment might be confided to them pending the election of a new Assembly. The session of the Constitutional AsS sembly was reported in your paper at the time. So also was the first session of the Legislature by which it was succeeded. It is difficult for one not on the spot to form an opinion on the merits of the dispute which has since occurred between the Government and a large section of the people. Apparently the chief grievance is the wholesale manner in which the Government is alleged to have bought off the leading members of the Opposition, and the heavy departmental expenditure they were thus enabled to fix upon the country. It was not alone the weight of the taxes to which objection was taken, but greater stress was laid on the power which that taxation gave to a Government, showing itself ready to carry with a high hand the views they entertained as to the management of the country. Nor was it likely that the feeling raised in the contest resulting from the coup d'ttat would subside until a change was made in the personnel of the Ministry. Acting on the plea that when the Legislature met, several leading Fijian chiefs had refused submission, and that the settlers in their districts were then unrepresented, a demand was made for a dissolution of the the Assembly, and a general election. Until this was attained, a large body of settlers determined to refuse payment of their taxes, or to recognise the Government, and organised the " British Settlers Mutual Protection Society," with whose proceedings those of your readers taking an interest in the subject will be already familiar. The latest news, of the appointment of Mr J. B. Thurston as Premier, is very encouraging. Joined with Messrs Smith and Hennings, no Ministry could be stronger in securing the confidence of the settlers. It is also a very considerable advantage that Mr Thurston for several years was British Consul at Fiji. He has been accustomed in this character to deal with Cakobau and Maafu on important matters, and the prestage of his past position "will give him a standing throughout Fiji such as no other politician could readily obtain. Mr Thurston's knowledge of native customs and of the language is considerable, while the firmness and uprightness of his character secured for him when Consul a high reputation. It is to be hoped these will enable him, with the assistance of well-known colleagues to establish on a firm basis the Government, so boldly, and with much ability initiated by men whose exertions will one day be more fully appreciated, and will anlply condone any errors which they may under very difficult circumstances have committed.