INDIAN MORALS IN FIJI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 29 May 1919, Page 5

INDIAN MORALS IN FIJI.

SOME UNFOUNDED STATEMENTS. Per Press Association. GHEYMOUTH, May 28. Some time in February last a statement emanating from Mr. Howard, of Christchurch, a prominent member of the Labour Party, was published in the newspapers of the Dominion, with reference 'to the immoral conditions prevailing amongst the industrial labourers of Fiji. These conditions, which were as bad as the alleged nationalisation of women, in Russia, were tolerated under the British flag, therefore the British people had no right to criticise tlio Bolsheviks. The president of the Greymouth branch of the Labour Party wrote to tho Colonial Secretary at Suva and forwarded him a copy of Mr. Howard’s statement. He has just received tho following reply: “Inform you that statement that when a man is married lie and his wife go out to Fiji (under indentured labour) and when he gets there he is at once told that he must let his wife be used by other men, is untrue. Under Ordinance No. 1, 1892, provision is made for the protection of newly-married immigrants, as well as others, and section 17 of the ordinance provides a heavy penalty in respect to the pay of any person interfering with the wife of an immigrant. The provisions of this section are explained by the immigration officers to immigrants on their arrival in the colony.”