MATTERS IN FIJI.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7404, 7 March 1903, Page 3

MATTERS IN FIJI.

Address by Rev. Slade.

Some Singular Revelations

(By Telegraph --Press Association)

Ciuu.tch.k.-u, This Day

The Rev. Sladc delivered an important address last night on Fiji missions. There was a large attendance. Ho said, while tolerant of Romanism as a creed, ho could feci nothing but indignation and detestation at mi-iy.u P. m -ili._is,of which he had been a v.itness in Fiji for many years. The Roman mission was under the control of Christian gentlemen, under whom thero has beeu none of the aggressive rivalry for the last dozen years. About twelve years ago a now bishop was appointed, Bishop Vidal. One letter of his was published in the Catholic Review, and was illustrated by a photograph, said to have been taken by a Marist Father. One was of a cannibal feast, conthining many horrible details. The photo was a " fairy " picturo made up for sale by the local photographer. There had not been a case of cannibalism for fifteen years before the publication of the letter referred to. A young chief was said to have been bound hand and foot to bo killed and eaten by savages, becauso they had adopted the Catholic faith, but had been rescued by a Marist father. The original of tho photo was alive at Ban when the letter was written and the whole story was a fabrication. The chief had never been bound. Thero were no savages, and he had never seen a cannibal. Thrilling stories were also told of the narrow escapes of a Bishop and bis being saved by Catholic converts. At that time the whole of Fiji was as safe to the bishop as if he were in Christchurch. (Received To day, at 10.28 a.m.) Adelaide, This Day. The Methodist Conference adopted a resolution expressing indignation with the Bible-burning incident at Fiji.