ASIATICS IN FIJI

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16230, 3 January 1927, Page 10

ASIATICS IN FIJI

FACTIONS TAKING BIDES; SUVA,. Dec.. 21. Some time ago a "European, and a Mohammedan applied for a license to have a slaughter' house.' Immediately this was Used as an lii'gunient by some Hindu agitato;** who "were at the' bottom of all the riots pome years ago. Unfortunately, tlie lea'der is .tod clever for the Government, fobicm'he qiiife hoodwinked, so much so'that he'has since been, promoted instead of being dfeportfcd. A long petition was dra%ii- v up and signed by some 80 Indians protesting against the grantinV of the license, as it would lead to nrueh trouble -between the religious factions. It was proved that this was bogus, and the licence was granted. "Then the agitators got busy and frightened the Government with reports that there would be a lot of trouble. The Government did not know what to do until this leader saw the chance and met a number of MobamoieUaris, assuring them that be would mediate •ind bring peace out of chaos. JTo has been since discredited by the Hincfas, who saw through his scheme, and now the position is worse, because the factions are takinc sides. If lipfhipg had been done'.and this schemer had .held liis tongue, nothing more would have been heard of the matter, jj j s again a case, on a small scale, of yaulting ambition bringing trouble in its train. It has been - a source of great congratulation that during all the years i» which so many East Indians, Hindus. Mohammedans. Sikhs. Patbans,' etc., 11 ave lived in the ccJOny there ha« been no suggestion of relidpus trouble.