ISLAND NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 19, 7 September 1911, Page 6

ISLAND NEWS.

(Per Press Association.) ' Auckland, September 7. The Court of the High Commits’ *ner of the Western Pacific was occupied for six days at Tonga with an action on behalf of four thousand members of the Native Co-operative Association against the British Consul and two Government officials. The Court found that there was nothing to prove that the Consul was the prime mover in the seizure of the association’s business, and dismissed the charge against the other defendants—Roberts and Humphries—on the ground that they acted under Government authority, and no action could be maintained against, them. Plaintiffs gave not 'ce of appeal, which will be heard at Fiji. It is stated that the decision has caused serious disquietude among the natives and only the presence of British warships prevented a serious disturbance. The trustees of the association applied to the Chief Justice to declare the ordinance to restrain and control the native company illegal. He upheld their contention. The result was a requisition to the King to dismiss the Chief Justice, but the King declined. Cabinet met and discussed the question of dismissal. The meeting ended in a deadlock. Later Roberts, Auditor-General and Assist-ant-Premier, was dismissed from office.

Among the passengers by tire Atua from the Islands was Mr Emil Kransi, who was acting-Chief Justice in German Samoa during the Governor’s absence. Ho states there has been trouble at Apia in consequence of a shortage of labour to work the plantations. The Chinese, through their Consul, demanded the same wages as was paid whites. This was resented by the latter, which caused ill-feeling, but it is thought the arrival of a transport with a fresh supply of Chinese labour shortly would relieve the situation. It, is expected a satisfactory settlement will be arrived at.