SCARE IN SUVA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16914, 1 April 1929, Page 10

SCARE IN SUVA

PUNJABEEb CAUSE SENSATION UNDESIRABLE IMPORTATIONS SUVA, March 22. The steamer Sutlej in January landed in Suva a mob of some 350 Punjabees. These men since they landed have stood out. for 8s per day, as against, the usual 5s to 4s, and have found it hard to get. work. Suddenly house breaking began to ho heard of) then highway robbery was attempted, and two eases of hold-up were reported. Last Sunday matters came to a head, when a Fijian yelled outthat a Punjabee had tried to break into his house. At once natives and Indians poured out- of the adjoining dwellings and when a cry went up that the robber was seen in some scrub the place was at once surrounded. Quickly over 150 men. many with knives, were hunting for the aggressor. Then it appeared there, were two robbers. One is said to have shaken a big knife at. his pursuers and they faded into the thick bush adjoining. The whole of Toorak had by this time turned out and then a squad of police came along and joined in, but all in vain—the men could not be found.

At a meeting of the Young Fijian Society, several speakers gave evidence of attacks by parlies of Punjabees, and grave concern was expressed by members. It is feared that if the Government does not intervene the Fijions may take the law into their own hands. The issue is one which may well cause concern to all European residents. The Punjabees are strong, well-set-up men. and are already showing a most insolent spirit to Europeans in the streets. It is rumored. that their objective, is NewZealand.