THE FIJI DISTURBANCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10960, 1 May 1907, Page 2

THE FIJI DISTURBANCE.

COMPLAINT OF THE COOLIES

FEDERATION WITH NEW ZEALAND

(Special to Herald.)

DUNEDIN, tliis day. Apropos to the rising among the Indian coolies at Labassa, m Fiji, a Star reporter who , last year spent 1 eighfe-*'dayß among the Indians, says: "These men complained bitterly of the hardness of the conditions of labor, the frauds, and callous attitude of the officials, and the assaults committed "by overseers upon their women, to say nothing of the frequent hangings and flogging with cat-o'-nine-tails. It is an open secret that,. the Government of India have found' it necessary to intervene oil behalf of the coolies more than once, and will proba/bly do so on tliis occasion. It is also safe to say that the rising at Labassa will be. put down with a pretty rough hand. The police administration 'is also very bad, and lately the Inspector-General, of Constabulary has been granted leave of absence for as long as; he pleases. The Government consists of eighteen members, of whom twelve are nominated by the Governor, Sir Everard im Thurm, and these twelve block almost every progressive measure. Tlie administration, if it goes on on ' the present lines, will soon make John Bull the laughing-stock of the Pacific. The number of Lidians m Fiji is about 30,000, and the wlutes number jbetyeen 3000 and 4000. Many of tlie latter are anxious to escape the stagnation of Crown Colony government, and would "Velcome federation with New Zealand ,if a basis of fede. ration could be arranged, but that basis, they say, would require' to exclude our labor legislation, and also any share of our State debt." ■■■/■'''