FIJI.

Otago Witness, Issue 1248, 30 October 1875, Page 6

FIJI.

Since I last wrote we have received further news from Fiji detailing the Governor's pro. ceedings, and the steps taken for the final organisation of the Government. The Legislative Council is not yefc appointed, but it io pretty well understood they will be selected from those who headed the list for which the planters voted at the meeting on the 2nd September, of which you have already heard. As they left each of the planters placed in a box at the door a paper with the names for which he desired to vote, signing the paper for the sake of authenticity. The idea was a good nne, and a clear proof of Sir Arthur Gordon's desire to use the great powers with which he is entrusted, in accord with the people. His popularity is increasing with ait classes except the disappointed aspirants, and those whose determined hatred or everyone connected with the old Fijian Government makes them dissatisfied because the Governor has cot entered sufficiently into their hatreds. They would have liked to see these old officials crushed out of existence. The Governor has removed them from political to purely departmental positions, but this, of eoiweg, does not suit the malcontents, though the great majority of the people are only too well pleased with the broad features of the change produced by annexation to quarrel with petty details. A law has been passed giving to the Government full powers to remove disaffected persons from one district to another for a period not exceeding two years. This law is denounced by some as tyrannical, but it is absolutely necessary. There is no tyranny in the law itself, more than in the whole system of a Crown Colony, of which it forms a part. It is the administration of the law which will be the te3t, and the spirit in which that administration, will be undertaken is sufficiently shown by the tßode in which Sir Arthur has gone out of his way to appoint a Council that will share hie power, The law is, m I have sgid, «beo.

lutely necessary for two purposes. First, to enable the Government to deal with Native Chiefs encouraging disaffection among their people ; and, secondly, with the " Pakeha Maoris," if I may use the term, scattered among the Natives. The latter might be tempted in some cases to abuse their positions, and create disaffection among Natives to make their own services indispensable. We have had experience enough of this in New Zealand, and Sir Arthur Gordon probably calculates that the mere existence of the law will render unnecessary any_ cause for its exercise. The very great majority of the settlers will be only too glad to have peace secured and be protected against the machinations of others, black or white. It muat be borne in mind that there are a hundred thousand Natives to deal with, even after the terrible havoc of the measles. Some of these are utterly unfit to be subjected to English ways and English laws, and, I am told, it is the Governor's intention to create for them a special system of Courts, in which justice will be promptly administered by persons answerable to himself directly. Commissioners will be appointed for these Native districts, and it will be their duty not only to secure the confidence of the Natives by strict justice, but to habituate them gradually to English laws, and fit them to be hereafter dealt with on the same system as the more civilised Natives of the coast and the settlers.

The seat of Government is still at Levuka, and no sign given of intended removal. It is one of those questions which will probably be deferred till the Council is appointed. The next important question is how to raise the revenue. The planters are very anxious to have free ports, and all classes are equally interested in this policy. They have reported, through the newly-established Chamber of Agriculture, that, in their opinion, a revenue of L 25,000 a year might be raised by direct taxation. The rates are L 5 each for European and American settlers, L 2 for men, not Polysians, and 10s each for the last-named. It is probable some modification of this proposal, so as to make contributions more proportionate to individual means, will be adopted. To avoid the obstacles to trade, which are inevitable under the best regulated Customs system, will be an immense gain to the commerce of the group, and probably make it the entrepot for the great business that must spring up with the other groups of the Pacific. The Royal Engineers have arrived in the steamer Egmont, and a large cotton house has been hired for their temporary accommodation. Any of your readers who have been in Levuka will know this house, which is part of Mr J. C. Smith's cotton ginning establishment. Among the Engineers there are surveyors and mechanics of all kinds, and their services cannot fail to be valuable in forming roads, surveying land, and otherwise opening up communication in the country. On the latter point the Governor places great stress. I hear that the Australian Steam Navigation Company have offered to put two small steamers on for the inter insular trade, as well as two of their large steamers for the trade betwaen Sydney and Levuka. They calculate on a great demand for coal among other things, f ot the navy and the mail steamers. Auckland has immense advantages of position, and should have a greater share in the supply of live stock, potatoes, wheat, and similar productions, but if these large steamers are laid on from Sydney, the advantage of nearness will be greatly neutralised.

Lady Gordon had also arrived in the Egmont just before the Star of the South left. I need not say that Her Ladyship's arrival has created a sensation among colonists' wives, and great interest among Fijian ladies. There are some few of the latter with whom any lady might be nleased to be on friendly; terms. The number, however, is exceedingly limited. We shall have the Emu and other vessels shortly 'from Levuka, and may then learn whether the Legislative Cour.cil is appointed, and whether any steps have been taken towards the settlement of the revenue and seat of Government questions.