FIJI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13477, 18 July 1907, Page 5

FIJI.

LANDS QUESTION RAISED IN

HOUSE OF LORDS

United Press Association — By Electric

Telegraph. — Copyright.

LONDON, July 17. In the House of Lords, at Lord Stanmore's request, Lord Elgin (Secretary for tho Colonies) consented to present to the House the correspondence respecting the sale of land in the provinces of Rewa and Maitaisiri, Fiji. Lord Stanmore expressed the fear that it might be possible under the recent Ordinance to authorise, by acquisition, land for public purposes, and deprive the Fijiaus of the whole of their lands.

Lord Elgin replied that the Governor of Fiji was still bound to protect the interests of the natives, who were unable, owing to their declining population, to cultivate all the land available. It was tho duty of the Government- to take all steps to promote the settlement of the Islands, and increase the population. Lord Elgin expressed the belief that the correspondence would satisfy Lord Stanmore. •

(Lord Stanmore, better known as Sir Arthur Gordon, was at one time Governor of Fiji, and later of New Zealand.)