FIJI'S FUTURE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1365, 16 February 1912, Page 5

FIJI'S FUTURE.

THE QUESTION OF UNION.

By ToloEraoh-Press Association-CoDJTlghl (ltec. I'ebriiary 15, 10.10 p.m.) London, February 15. Sir Evernrd im Thnrn, formerly Governor of Fiji, in an articlo in the "Quarterly Review" on "Fiji as a Crown Colony," states that tho native question in those islands is complicated by the introduction of Indian coloured labour. Sonio Australians have reprobated the importation of tin; Indians, and liavo wrongly held tho view that it would be better if the islands were left undeveloped than developed by natives from elsewhere.

Manual labour in the tropics, the writer continues, must largely be coloured, and \mportation is essential where the indigenous labour is insufficient.

Besides Canada's, Australia's, and Now Zealand's interest in the Pacific Islands, the United States, Japan, Germany,, and France are also concerned in their future, and these Powers aro all strengthening their positions and influence. It is politic that Britain should do tho same.

There were strong reasons why the Pacific Islands at present should not bo annexed either by Australia or New Zealand, despite their geographical position and commercial interests. But the. time had come to assist Fiji towards the point •where she would pass from the status of a Crown colony and join the united Dominions of Australasia.