New Zealand and Fiji.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11660, 21 January 1901, Page 2

New Zealand and Fiji.

INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE.] United Presi Association. — By Electric Teles^a ph. — Copyright .

Receive! January 21, 1.18 a.m.

Sydney, January 20. — The citizens and members of the Suva and Fiji Federal League wrote requesting Mr Seddon to convey to the Government of the Commonwealth their congratulations on its inaiiguration, and their regret at not being represented on such an historic occasion. A native of Narisori wrote to tbe Government of Fiji, refusing to do any more work at road repairing unless he was paid for it.

The Chairman of the Federal League, in forwarding a copy of the letter to Mr Seddon, states that he had advised tbe natives to go back to their homes and wait quietly for a reply. It is from such [a matter as this that a rising might be apprehended. The. natives were informed that every effort is being made with the help of New Zealand to bring about a change of Govern-, ment. lIA another letter from the Federal League it is pointed out that the Governor's action in ordering his speech; at the opening of the hospital should be read in every village of the colony is, causing a serious feeling to be engendered in the minds of the natives against the whites of the colony, especially against those in any way connected with New •Zealand. ' The Governor is still sending officials to various districts to hold meetings. The Federation League entreats Mr Seddon to use his influence to prevent the continued circulation of the slanders by the Governor against the whites and New Zealand, and suggest telegraphing to the Secretary for the Colonies on the subject.

A letter from a leading personage in Fiji urges the' removal of Governor O'Brien, as he is not only opposed to a closer union 1 of. Fiji with New 2ealand, but also to the ' exclushm of New Zea land's influence amongst the Islands. O'Brien regards .the^ strictures of the press in New Zealand and Australia as evidence of the moral nature of the blow he has struck at what he terms thfc impudent^atfpirations of the Premier of NeV Zealand. The'writer predicts that while in this frame of mind ' O'Brien will probably be most mischievous in the Pacific.

There is reason to believe he intends to instruct the Deputy- Corn missiojii'jbHat Tonga to circulate confidentially his speech rat the hospital opening. There : is no doubt O'Brien will oe strongly backed in England by Lord Stanmore, formerly Sir Arthur Gordon, and tbe Exeter Hall party, but he ■ trusts that the sacrifices made by New Zealand :n: n the cause of the Empire will have the effect of strengthening Mr Seddon to obtain the removal of the Governor. . ; • , . . „< „

The writer asks them to secure the cooperation of the Premiers of Australia, because these slanders affect Au&iraliaj and will spread to.the Ne.w Hebrides jftnd Solomons, where Fijian is the lingua franca. In reference to a proposal' to send as a deputation Mr Slade, the latter, in a letter to. Mr Seddon, states that his churca^.will not .accede to the demand of tbe Governor for his removal, and the latter would have to retire from the position he has taken up or issue an Order in Council for the arrest of 'Stad& if & did the latter Slade intended 'to 'destroy it and allow the Governor to arrest and imprison him. "The 'wrifet- also Estates that the Governor continues to publisn and emphasise his slanders on New Zealand throughout the grobp. ,- • , - If a prdper referendum of the natives were taken they would declare overwhelmingly for federation, not r that they understand it but because they have suffered so greatly under the present regime. '