FIJI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 397, 11 December 1873, Page 3

FIJI.

(From the Auckland Correspondent of tbe

" Otago Daily Times.") I The Star of the South has taken to Fiji the new Bank Manager,* Mr Horton, and nearly £14,000 in coin. She has also taken the Bank notes, co that this establishment is now fairly started. The notes are from £20 to sa, and have at the back an intimation, in Fijian, that they are good for their respective values in hard cash. The advent of this money will put new confidence into people there, and give a new impulse to progress. Mr Horton was in tbe Bank of New South Wales in 1861, and was for some time, I believe, in Otago, whence he went to the West Coast, and has been County Treasurer there ior some years. Tho new Fijian Constitution has reached us by way of Sydney. It places all power in the hands of the King and National Assembly. Tbe latter to be not more than 36 in number, and to consist of natives, with exception of the Ministers and eight representatives elected by white men of eiz months' residence. None of tbe representatives of the white men are eligible for Ministers ; in fact are prohibited from acting in that capacity. The Constitution makes no provision for trial by jury, but provides that the standing army shall never be less than 1200 men, enliated for three years. It exacts oaths of allegiance from all engaged in public life, and makes as an unchangeable and permanent clause the muintenance of the sovereignty of (he King, and his jurisdiction over everyone and everything in the country. This sovereignty ie to be upheld by all possible means, and to be only surrendered if the kingdom is conquered by a greater power than it can meet. Insulting comments on parliamentary

proceedings are to he punishable. The Government, however, ia solemnly declare*! to be " Constitutional." How far the settlers may approve these arrangements we must wait to see. They are full of cane-growing and sugar-making at present, and will be likely to reserve themselves for tho Commission to meet shortly. I should add that if the settlers neglect to elect representatives, or the representatives decline to take the oath to support the King and Constitution, the King is to appoint others in their place. A olauee worth mentioning declares that every man in Fiji, or coming to Fiji, shall be free. This at a stroke abolishes the slavery in which 150,000 Fijimen have lived, as their fathers for generations h&ve lived before them. It is a great and bold stroke, doing the Government infinite credit, whatever opinion of their other policy may be entertained by those opposed to them. The Commission, when it meets, will find much has been done to pave the way for good government, but the " unchangeable" clause about the maintenance of tho kingdom will be a difficulty in the way of getting Ministers to advise the consrnt of his Gracious Majesty and the other chiefs to annexation.