FUTURE FOR FIJI

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 644, 22 April 1929, Page 14

FUTURE FOR FIJI

SIR EYRE HUTSON’S PREDICTION GOVERNOR'S RETIREMENT After 44 years in the colonial service Sir Eyre Hutson is returning to England, where he will retire. On the Aorangi last evening lie said that he proposes to return to New Zealand in two years’ time on a tisliing expedition. *‘l have always described your Dominion as the gem of the Empire,” he said. Sir Eyre has just relinquished the office of Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner of the Western Pacific, a position he has held for four years. For 10 years before that he served in Fiji as Colonial Secretary. Sir Eyre said last evening that the Crown Colony of Fiji is making slow ' but sure progress. Her financial i position is sound and lie predicts a future for the colony. At present | there is a lack of white population for ; the development of agriculture and other enterprises. i The Hawaiian Pineapple Company, which proposes to operate in is investigating the position, Sir Eyre said. The company's decision will be given at the end of the year. The first company to begin the pineapple industry there has sold the first of its output to the Dominion, and the reports of the quality of the fruit arc excellent. Auckland is interested in this company. Sir Eyre remarked that there should be an excellent future for the industry in Fiji. The colony was grateful to New Zealand, said Sir Eyre, for admitting its bananas free of duty, and for the assistance which had been given in educational matters. The present director, Mr. J. Caughley, was a most useful man. As a result of a commission which sat in 1926 in an endeavour to straighten out the position regarding education facilities for all races, the special wants of the various peoples were being attended to. Sir Eyre referred to the change in the constitution of Fiji, letters patents for which had been signed by _ the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, and the Rt. Hon. Mr. Stanley Baldwin during the King’s illness. As a result of this the Indians had now been given the franchise, and will elect three Indians to represent them in the Legislative Council. The European representatives have been reduced by one and the native chiefs, nominated by the Government, have been increased in the House from two to three. The Council of the Colony will now consist of six Euro- , pean elected members, three Indian elected members, three native members and, in addition to these, 13 official’ nominated members, of which the Government will retain the majority. Sir Eyre Hutson is a through passenger on the Aorangi. He mentioned that until a new Governor is appointed Mr. A. W. Seymour, Colonial Secretary, is in charge.