AFFAIRS IN FIJI.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11501, 6 February 1903, Page 8

AFFAIRS IN FIJI.

INTERVIEW WITH A FIJIAN OFFICIAL.

(SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") AUCKLAND, February 5. A gentleman who has resided in Fiji for upwards of 30 years, holding office in tlie Civil-Service and sitting as magistrate, informs the "Herald" that the statements made in 'London and by Air Humphrey Berkeley and in Sydney by Mr C. Magnus respecting ofliciaJ tyranny among the Fijians are hardly correct. His duties have brought him constantly into contact with the natives, and l he is able, therefore, to speak from jpereonal knowledge , . Thte incidence of taxation, upon which so much stress has been laid, has been altogether exaggerated. During the whole of his long residence in Fiji he has not experienced any acte of tyranny or oppression on the part of the Government towards the natives. Occassionalry hereditary chiefs have oppressed their people, and the Government may at tiroea 'have shown a weakness in reftaining from active interference in such cases, but great changes have taken place in recent years, and-all matters of the kind now coming to the knowledge of the Government are speedily rectified. Th« Fijiane, he says, are a happy and contented people, and would remain so were it not for agitations on the part of men who have no real stake in the colony. Planters in Fiji are almost to a man opposed to Fiji being amalgamated either with New Zealand or the Commonwealth of Aus.tralia. There is a strong desire on the part of residente to elect their own representathree to the Legislative Council, thus doing away with the present nominee system. However, in a colony like Fiji, where the native population co greatly outnumbers tbe European, it may be necessary for the Gov- \ ernoT to have a casting vote in the Council in order that the balance may be held evenly between tlie two races. ' Surprise is expressed that Mr Seddon, after tho recent rebuff he met with at tbe hands of the Colonial Secretary, should still interfere with the affairs of a distant Crown Colony to the extent of going into details regarding such matters as the construction of roads and bridge*. Mucn is hoped for by the reeidents of Fiji from Sir Henry Jackson, tJie newly-arrived Governor, and it is expected that such alterations an eiTcomittancee may require in the Government will be gradually effected.