Coveted Fiji

Southland Times, Issue 18062, 4 February 1903, Page 3

Coveted Fiji

RIVAL DOCTORS

ARE THEY DISINTERESTED?

United Press Association By Electric Telegraph— Copyright,

LONDON. Feb. 2

Mr Humphrey -.Berkeley alleges that the Fijians have been subjected to official tyranny and crushing taxation. He urges the Colonial Office to appoint a commission ol enquiry. :

SYDNEY, Feb. 3

Mr^ Allardyce, Colonial Secretary of Fijii reiterates that- the predominant feeling: of Fijian natives is to be loft to themselves. They are happy and contented, and do not want to be annexed by New Zealand, the Commonwealth, or any Fo.wer, but simply to go their own quiet, peaceable way unmolested.

.Mr, Moore, Commissioner of Lands in Fiji,J^ome4, an -interviewer that the county .ieasi Idghly. prosperous. In view of suiA. ;;_ "prosperity^ annexation by N.Z. hadfhb attrabtipn for /the people, as they, had T nothing . .to gafn by it and everything- to" losei

(Received 3rd, 11.36 p.m

CLEAR CONTRADICTIONS

Mr Allardyce, interviewed, gave an unqualified denial to Mr Berkley's cabled allegations with reference to Fiji and discounts their importance by counter •tatements. On the score of political motive and the absence of anything definite to answer Mr Allardyce contented himßeli with a general contradiction. He declared that there is no omcial tyranny at the islands, speaking broadly. He admitted that there iaight be individual cases of injustice, juf^ as there are. in all countries, but these are always remediea when, brought to light. He further Said ..that thero had been no complaints re the incidence of taxation and no grounds for complaint and, excepting in Mr Berkeley's imagination, there had been ' no public agitation, no unwillingness to pay the taxes imposed. *