FUTURE OF FIJI.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 14053, 25 July 1916, Page 5

FUTURE OF FIJI.

MR HOLMAN'S IMPRESSIONS. 7 ■'..,'.. i - i —' ".'" * (Per-'PresS- Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. | f As 'the /result of - '-his. shbft visit to, Fiji, 'Mf 1 W*.' A. Hblman (Premier of New iSbuth Wales), Who is a passenger for. : Sidney by the -Niagara, admitted that he 'had ' somewhat chanked his Views m regard 'to the desirability of a modification' of the -system of administration'^)! 'the ' Crown colon^ ; of Fiji. h .?While I was m Fiji,'* said Mr' Holinah, "I met a nuniber bf : residents interested 'm the question of some change m the present method ; of ' : administration.' I - may explain that it was a matter m which I had no official connection, but it was impossible for a visitor to Fiji to- avoid- hearing .a'- great deal abouti the' proposals. - I confess- 1- went there -a great dealt biased against any such idea, but 'I am bound to say that after hearing ■ the .statements ■■ of those who--, support -itj- and •'. the magnitude- of the movement m favor of the change, I have come 'away satisfied th!at it is^U matter- -that demands close and serious consideration. A petition is receiving signatures representing, I ■ am assured, nearly -two-thirds of the population ■of the islands, and- what, on the face of- themj are weighty reasons are being advanced -in support of the change. It -was impossible for! me during my short visit to acquaint myself with, the actual merits of the -proposals, even if 'iriy ; visit was direoted to that endj W-hich it was^ not j- but 'I'am1 'am certainly impfessed>' with • the "(feeling, of theresidents that tile; matter* should considered by the -New Zealand and Australian Governments. I T -'-'-It is only right to say," > added Mr Holmany "that so far- as' l can gather the 1 petition? was directed solely at the System *ai)id not m any way at -Bir Bickr hani SWeet Escott, the present Governor,-- who is- recognised as a most capable adrilirtiatrator;^ .--• <•'■■