The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1900.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 773, 6 October 1900, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1900.

The Premier has given notice of his intention to move a resolution that in the opinion of the House that representation should be made to the Imperial Government, praying that Fiji may be relieved from the position of a Crown Colony, the present form being inconsistent with freedom, justice, and equality, depriving as it does the European population of all voice in making the laivs and control of the moneys raised by taxation. A second clause points out that resolutions have been passed by meetings of men of position and standing in Fiji, expressing a wish for close relation with the colony, and seeing that from the geographical position of the islands and New Zealand, extension of trade and mutual exchange of produce and other lasting benefits would ensue both to the colony and Fiji. This House believes and endorses the opinion expressed by the memorialists that federation would be to the benefit of both colonies, subject, however, to terms and conditions to be hereafter agreed upon, and consents to the incorporation of Fiji as an integral portion of the colony, and the sanction of the Imperial Government be obtained thereto. The group of island referred to number from 200 to 250, and are situated about 1100 miles north of New Zealand, and extend about 300 miles from ease to west with a total area of about 7,451 square miles. The population in 1897 was 121,798, comprising 99,773 native Fijians, 12.025 Indian immigrants and 3,400 Europeans, and some Polynesians, half-castes, and Chinese. As an abstract principle, it may be right that whenever a number of Europeans are congregated together under the British flag, they should be granted the right to govern themselves and manage their own affairs, but there may be circumstances which render adherence to the rule impolitic. The disproportion between the European and coloured populations, and the small number of the former, to our mind constitutes a valid reason why the islands for the present should remain a Crown »olony. The granting of a constitution implies ! control of the land and the right to i deal with it as the Parliament ! elected by such a small number of voters may think fit, and such is human nature, that it would be absurd to suppose that the earliest legislation would not be in the direction of promoting the welfare ot the existing white population regardless of future consequences. On the.other hand .vere the islands annexed to New Zealand representation in our Parliament would be involved, they would probably be entitled to one representative who would quite likely be the only member of the House who could give an intelligent vot« on Fijian questions. Discontent ajnongst the residents on the islands would be certain to

arise, as they would be the subjects of the caprice of a Parliament quite incapable of understanding the questions it would be called upon to decide. We believe that it would be better both for New Zealand and the islands that the present position should remain for the present.