FIJI. MR SEDDON AND THE COLONIAL OFFICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7700, 8 May 1903, Page 2

FIJI. MR SEDDON AND THE COLONIAL OFFICE.

The following correspondence, a copy of which, has been, supplied by the Prtmier, will throw eomo light on« the question, asked on Wednesday, in the House of Commons, by Mr Cathcnrfc Wason, and answered by Mr Chamberlain: — Steamship Tongariro, Tenerifft, Sept. 30, 1902. Sir,— The question of Fiji and the Pacific Islands not having been dealt with at the late Conference, I desire to call your attention to the decrease of the Fijian population, which the census returns give as .being over one thousand a year for the lasfa twenty years, and -the late census returns show no improvement, but quite the rtverse. The European population in the Fiji Islands is also leas than it was twenty years ago. The islands uro capable' of great development, and whilst the Fijian will not work regularly, yet, at certain, employment, such as planting, fruit-grow-ing, etc., which, is intermittent, foe, like the Maori, would do thi3, provided the opportunity offered, and his labours were fittingly requited. The spreading out of the Maoris on. new lands, and. with due regard to water-supply and sanitation, has gone a (long way to prevent their dydng out, and they are now on the increase. The i newly-appointed Governor of the islands J will, no doubt, give this matter his attention, and do Ms best to arrest the dying out, of the Fijian race. The New Zealand; Parliament, passed iresolutions some time &go agreeing to the annexation of Fijijto New Zealand, and, in reply thereto, ttie Secretary of State for the Colonies stated that the SFijians, who had ceded tht islands, should be How, and in what way, this was vtobe done has not yet been intimated to the New Zealand Government. Petitions ihave been largely signe.d by the Fijians, but what has become of the same wt do not know. From the ■present outlook, however, it will b'a some tflne before this matter will be dealt with/; and, pending a decision, and New Zsaland being largely interested, I very respectfully urge that there should be some European and native members elected to the Executive Council. This has worked well in other similarly situated islands, and would, I feel surej relieve the strained situation in Fiji, besides being appreciated by both races. I also consider it imperative that a loan ?honld be authorised, for the purpose of road malting, improving the beds of rivers for navigation, and water-supply. Experiments should also be made on> a large scale in cotton growing. This would find employment for the natives, and take the place of fruit-growing, which has of late year?, owing to lessened markets, fallen off considerably ; with the 'recent Commonwealth tariff on friuts, there will most ; likely be a still further falling off. The ; c-xport of copra could also be largely increaspd, if extended planting obtained. Afc present #h© sugar growing industry seems to be t\\s> Alpha and Omega of Fiji. It is not wise to 'have all the eggs in one basket, and should changes eventuate inimical to the sugar growing industry, Fiji would be in a very bad condition. Beet-growing in New Zealand, or a change in our tariff, withdrawing concessions now granted on raw sugar, would injuriously affect Fiji sugar-growing ; and, seeing these' are contingencies that may arise, it is well to fur- j ther, especially in the interests of the. Fijians, the other industries for which the j islands are eminently adapted. — I have, etc., • R. J. SEDDON. \ Downing Street, Sept. 30, 1902. My Lord, — 1 have the honour to inform you that I 'have received; froim your Prime 'Minister a letter dat?d : the 13th inftant, in. •winch, ihe' makes certain ..suggestions witiregard to the administration of ; F4ji. - 2.1 shall be glad if you will inform him in reply that Sin (EL Jaokson, the newlyappointed 1 Governor of Fiji, has already bean askedi to report, on the question of giving more effective representation in the Council to the European; residents ; and fhit his attention will 'be drawn to the other points rais£>di "by Mr $eddon, and in parlicular to tie difsraJbleness of improving communications by opening *•£]? the lower reaches of the rivers, and 1 by a- more extended 'construction of roads and bridges, j 3. Mt Sedion will appreciate the fact ! that it is necessary to move caufiously j in dealing with, matters of such importance j to the 'future of IFiji, 'but foe <maj rest as- | suiei that 'his suggestions will receive full ■ consideration both fromi Sir H. Jackson and from myself. — I Shave the honour to 'be, My Lord. your Worship's most obedient hittntol^ servant, • ■feigned) J. CHAMBERLAIN. Governor, tbe Bight Hortl The Earl of Raufurly, G.C.M.G:, Etc.,jt-te., etc ' Mr Ohamiberlain's r.?ply to Mr Wason was to the effect tfon-fc on Isnrnrag- hereafter ike Governor of 'Fiji's views, 'he would consider ff a.n alteration of taxation was advisable. It would "be unprecedented and inconvenient to. ask Mr &e>Mon for a report on the native mgulations promulgated in Fiji. .The prover method for natives petitioning 1 would foa through, the Covernot. Ordinance. 20 of 1887 was still operative. As at present advised, to was of opinion that it waa necessary to retain powers of deportation.