FIJI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue XXVI, 31 July 1871, Page 3

FIJI.

. * We have received copies of the " Fiji Government Gazette" of June sth and 10th, headed with the insigna of royalty "C. R." (Cakobau Rex). The publication is embellished with all the circumstances and pomp of official Jenkinson, and touched off with the very " round and top of royalty." One would have expected that in the primitive stages of forming a government under such an Ironside as Cakobau (the Fijian pronounciation of Thakombau, we believe) all cumbrous and useless attempts at a show of pageantry would have been eliminated, but in the " departmental" announcements, the " Ministers," or that indispensable funcionary in all properly constituted civil organisations, the " Government Printer," have adopted the conventional round aboutism of form and grandiloquent expression of language pertaining to the orthodoxy of governmental pablications, The King issues the following edict : — TO MY SUBJECTS AND FOEEIGN BESIDENTS IN FIJI. The daily increasing foi'eign population in ray dominions, introducing the custom, habits, and commerce of highly civilised nations has caused me serious consideration. Many foreigners have acquired by purchase and lease considerable areas of land, upon which they aro expending much capital, and exercising great skill and labor. It is, therefore, clearly evident that to preserve that perfect harmony which should exist between the two races, to facilitate the inoreas- I ing European commerce, to establish foreign relations, a properly constituted Government has become an absolute necessity. I have, therefore, accepted the services of the gentlernrn named in my proclamation to form an Executive to administer the Government in accordance with the Constitution adopted in 1867 at the earnest desire of the foreign residents, and accepted by my chiefs, who have Bince been ruled by those laws alone. The Constitution is similar in principle to that of the Hawaiian Gt-overnment, which has been in successesful operation (upon a very moderate expenditure) nearly forty years ; it provides for a house of representatives, civil and religious liberty, simple and inexpensive courts of justice, and equal rights. The labor question, both foreign and domestic, is one that will demand the most seriouß consideration of my advisers. My relations with the chiefs throughout my dominions are of the most friendly nature, and such as to ensure their united support to this measure. The attention of my Government will be ab onco directed — 1. To measures for the adjustment of Titles and claims to Lands. 2. To the survey and management of Public Lands. 3. Tho protection of European residents and property,

4. The appointment of Magistrates. 5. An adequate Postal System. 6. A Bank deposit of issue guaranteed by the Crown and secured on Public Lands and Kevenues. 7. The Fedoralization of. the various chiefdoma, and the gradual blending of their interests •with those of my Government. 8. The recognition of my Government by the foreign powers with whom I have hitherto not had any intercourse. To you I now confidently commend my Government, conscious of its deep impostance to yourselves, and under Divine Providence the great future which its sareful and just administration will open for Fiji. (Signod) Cakobau. This is followed by what we take to to be a translation in the Fiji tongue of the same document. Then comes a " Boyal Commission" appointing his •• Ministers," but these we have already published.