Coveted Fiji

Southland Times, Issue 18063, 5 February 1903, Page 2

Coveted Fiji

United Press Association. By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.

MELBOURNE. Feb. 4. Sir E. Barton, interviewed regarding Mr Berkeley's statement, said he had no reason to believe that tho complaints were in any way justified; nor. that there was any evidence that popular feeling in Fiji is in favour of immediate annexation by New Zealand. The people of Fiji, both native and white, do not ap.pear to evince any desire to move in that direction. It was easy to make charges, but harder to substantiate them. It was not very difficult to produce petitions from coloured "people oil any alleged grievance.

SYDNEY. Feb. •_ Received sth, 12.28 a.rri. BACKING FOR MR BERKELEY.

Mr E. Magnus, * wel. known in 'connection with Fiji, declares that Mr Berkeley's charges are only too true and that Sir E. Barton's declaration that there is no feeling in favour of annexation displayed wonderful ignorance of the subject, especially in view oif the fact that Mr Berkeley had taken Home a petition bearing thousands of signatures ar.i asking tho King to redres9 the grievances of Fijiuns. Europeans also signed the petition. As regards tho talk ahovt annexation to New Zealand thoie is some mis-apprehension on tho point. Ihe natives wish to amalgamate w'th ji D > government that would change the piesent lamentable stato of slavery. Why New Zealand was mentioned so prominently was because an idea got abroad) that tha Commonwealth did not wa - \t onvtbing to do. with black people. AnoVier thing was that N.Z." was much ciostf and thrre is a better chance o^ trade ; also theit N.Z, ia used to ruling "imtivft?. Tkey would gladly be placed i.nder " ,: a rule similar to the Maoris.

Received Sth, .12.55 a.m

Mr Magnus declares that Mr Berkeley's charges have good foundation. Traversing Mr Allardyce's statements, he says the question of the incidence of- taxation is one of the strongest grounds! of complaint embodied In the petition. -He alleges that the natives are denied trial by jury, and both in the military yetnd police are forced to serve ; if they refuse they can bo sentenced to lqng^toims As things exist; ait presaht, tHey Fijian native is little better than ; a7y.Slaye. Even if he attempts to leave ttfecourir try he can be imprisoned for a lengthy period, and if he stays at home he is put in gaol if he does not work for n.(H thing. It is a weU-lmoWn fact T . that the Government officials have only ona side of . the story to tell. They know very well they are having a good time under the present regime, and if . a change were made they would be found out. Their great hope, however, is from the administration of Governor- Jackson.

United Press Association

WELLINGTON; Feb. 5

The. Premier has received a' conwauntea^ tion. through the Governor, stating that the new Governor 6.7 riji; ; SVHebry Jackson, has been asked to report on the question of giving- more effective representation on the Comicil to 7 European residents, and natives ; a_so that consideration would be given to Mr Seddon's suggestions in regard to constructing roads and bridges. The Secretary of State says he hoped Mr Seddon would appreciate , the necessity for dealing cautiously wlth^ matters of importance in Fiji. His suggestions would receive careful consideration.