FIJIAN NATIVES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21415, 6 March 1935, Page 8

FIJIAN NATIVES

PERMISSION TO JOIN CIRCUS REFUSED Endeavours to arrange with the Government of Fiji for a party of Fijian natives to be allowed to appear in a circus spectacle in New York have broken clown, according to Mr Scott Colville, personal representative lor Ringling, Barnum, and Bailey, the famous circus proprietors. Mr Colville recently returned to New Zealand after visiting Fiji. Mr Colville explained that his mission in Fiji had been to obtain permission from the Government for the natives to leave the islands. Had he been successful, he was to have taken them to New York, established them in the circus and directed them. They were to give exhibitions of their arts and crafts, war dances, and various ceremonies and customs. He soon, found that he was unlikely to succeed Tu his mission, as it appeared that .there was a government embargo on natives leaving the country. Through the Secretary of Native Affairs "(Mr Armstrong), Mr Colville made application to the Governor, Sir Murchison Fletcher, wilh whom It? had a long audience. His Excellency outlined his reasons for declining to issue the permit, which were, in effect, that the reaction on the natives would be detrimental. Mr Scott Colville said that in staling his case to his Excellency ho offered to put up a bond with his government of 50,000 dollars for the good treatment and safe return home of the natives, and also offered to pay the salaries and expenses of two European officials to accompany the natives, while he would personally accompany them to New York, and if the government officials were not satisfied with the conditions pertaining the natives would be immediately returned to Fiji. The salaries of the whole party, covering a tour of 10 months, would be deposited in full in the Suva Bank, and it was further proposed to have regular shipments of native food sent to the United States. "But after hearing his Excellency's views and reasons for the refusal," added Mr Colville, "1 felt Ihat they were quite justifiable."