NATIVE UNREST IN FIJI.

Otago Witness, Issue 3234, 8 March 1916, Page 7

NATIVE UNREST IN FIJI.

(Feom Ocb Own Cohbespondisjst.)

SUVA, February 17. The Government of Fiji, stirred at last by press publicity in Fiji and Now Zealand, is beginning to act in reference co native unrest.

The Government asserts that it has been acting all along, but as the principal officials had never left Suva, nervous residents :n outlying- districts found it difficult to credit the Administration as it Reserved. The. Government has accepted the offer of information, made by a prominent resident of Suva through tho press, to show that there was serious unrest, and is now in possession of tho information, including the names of the three friendly chiefs who professedly anticipated trouble. A native of Tailevu has commenced a period of 12 months' dismal imprisonment for _ composing a meke setting forth the achievements of the Germans, including •' The Blockade of England " Tho poetical genius's moke was taken np by tho villages on the Tailevu, and performed with gusto. Inspector Swinbourno, under instructions, effected the arrest of the composer—a poor reward for imaginative brilliance. This first decisive action by the Government, showing the natives that it means business, is reassuring.

Mr Allardyce (Native Commissioner) left for the disaffected Sigatoka district, via Lautoka, last week. Simultaneously a batch of polico left Suva to attend the sitting of the Supreme Court, at Lautoka. From the Sigatoka district last week one of the Suva bank managers received word from a client that " unless the Government was stirred up to douig something there would bo bloodshed." The Government has boon stirred up. Whether there will 'be bloodshed remains to bo seen.

Chief Ratu Sukuna, who was mentioned in despatches for his fine work with tho French Foreign Legion in France, is returning, _ wounded, to Fiji next month. Sukuna is a university graduate and a iino speaker. If tho Government perceives ; ts opportunity Sukuna will bo a fino investment.