Affairs in Fiji.

Colonist, Volume XLVI, Issue 10657, 4 March 1903, Page 4

Affairs in Fiji.

Received March 4, 12.47 a.m. Sydney, March 3. At the Methodist Conference it was decided to appoint a married minister to Norfolk Island* and to proclaim it a circuits The Rev. Q. Brown, the General Secretary of Missions, made a lengthy statement as to church affairs' in Fiji. He said amongst the chief points of consideration were the aggressive character of the work of the Roman Catholic bishop and missionaries, and Seventh Day Adventists ; a large and ever inceasing influx of Indians ; and the t political unrest amongst the natives, which was caused in a great measure by the agitation in favor of federation with New Zealand. The desire for more self-government by the people, which was a growing desire in the minds of the Fijians. The desire for higher education. Another grievance was the poll tax. Did the Conference wonder that some of them felt strongly on these matters, and wanted to bring the attention of the Fijian authorities, or if necessary to the notice of the British House of Commons. His opinion was that the poll tax as at present levied was a cruel injustice. He appealed to the Conference to increase the missionary staff amongst the Indians. During the discussion the Rev. Mr Carruthers asked, if it was a faat that on the occasion of the swearing in of the Governor the Roman Catholic Bishop was given first place at the function, while the Wesleyan Chairman, who virtually was the Bishop of Fiii, was relegated to an inferior position? The Rev. G. Brown replied that it did occur.