UNREST IN FIJI

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2729, 25 March 1916, Page 13

UNREST IN FIJI

NATIVE CHALLENGE TO THE WHITE TRADER LIGHT ON SOME RECENT REPORTS [In view of the recent reports of unrest in Fiji—and contradictions—the following article by "W.D.," iu tho "Sydney Horning Herald," is of special interest.] Within the last few years (says the writer of the article) there lias been a marked change in tho islander, and a large scction of, tho population liavo endeavoured to break aivay somewhat from tho bonds which held them. Iu a very truo sense ambition lias been born, albeit it is mixed with much alloy. Tho Fijian has challenged tlio white man in tho open \ market, and thrown down the gauntlet in an unmistakable fashion. The section referred to is as' yet in the minority, but it is growing daily, secretly and quietly, and tho ramifications of its influence are wider than is generally thought. The movement began some two or three years ago under tho leadership of one Apolosi, a young man who showed considerable ability to lead and think— ability, however, mixed with quasi spiritual presumptions. Thoso who belittle Apolosi cannot be aware of the power which he wields over a large number of people, a few of whom even go so far as to link him with Moses and Christ. _ The hold ho has upon many elans is proven by the way certain adherents in the Yasawa Islands resisted the officers sent to arrest him, asseverating at tho samotime that tho officers must walk over their dead bodies if they wished to apprehend their leader. The Viti Company, which Apolosi founded, broke up into three or four minor companies, partly because of the fact that large sums of money were missing, and partly because of the influence of others, who sought the place of leadership. Apolosi's own company still continues strongly, and his agents penetrate to every place where produce is available. Ban on the White Tractor. The headquarters of the movement is in the interior of Viti Levu, in. what is termed Colo. I had the opportunity of gauging its strength recently while on a tour of inspection. In one town at 10 o'clock at night, thd crier patrolled amongst the houses, calling out that in the morning.- all owners of bananas should cut them and take them direct to a rendezvous down the river. Pine gum or yams or taro would be accepted, But/ oil- no account should, they sell to the white men or their agents, on pain of punishment. ; What >, tho punishment was to be I could not definitely discover, hut it was rumoured that there ivould be a iino of £5 to every delinquent. ' . '

This kind of competition is very exclusive ;■ there is much take, but uo give in it. From the standpoint of the welfare of the natives it is better than no competition at all bo long as no extraneous ideas get mixed up with their commercial operations. Unfortunately, however, 1 there has been a strong tendency amongst the members of this particular company to rise ambition to compete with the patriotic ideal of "Fiji for the Fijians." This has led to the most bitterness upon the part of not a few, a bitterness none " the less to be noted because it is largely unexpressed, except among themselves. In some cases of the early meetings of their company they even went so far as to attempt the_ usurpation of Government and mission authority alike, interdicting tax-moneys and mission collections, and arrdgating ti themselves powers altogether' outside the jurisdiction of a trading company. It speaks well for the common sense of the Fijian people as a whole that these claims did not appeal to them. Afld, although sporadic attempts have succeeded here and there in interfering with the status quo, the more ambitious flights of the company have been lepudiated by the people. ■ Trial of Apolosi. Still the feelings which gave birth to the misplaced ideas referred to are acting very rigorously in the mind of the native and colouring his every action. When I was in Colo in July, 1915, the trial of Apolosi was pending. The charge was one of resisting the policS who had been sent to arrest him. He had been captured subsequent to the resistance, together with a crowd of his followers, on hoard a cutter off the Yasawa Group. Great interest and concern were manifested by the natives of the interior. They set themselves to collect a large amount of money sufficient to cover any possible fine. In order to do this they withheld their annual gifts to the mission (which have not yet been paid), and in some towns withdrew from their potty chiefs moneys that had already been deposited as tax payments. 'When'news arrived that Apolosi had no_ option of a fine, but was punished-with a long term of imprisonment, he immediately rose in their estimation. Their comment was: "Never mind; let us get to work." And they have done so by_ planting more bananas and strengthening their organisation.

Rumour has it 'tliat when Apolosi comes out of gaol there will be some joint action upon the part of his followers—in what direction it is difficult ti One banana buyer said -to me in liis enigmatic way: "Anything might happen." All this trouble was at its lifiiglit when the war broke out, and it is not wonderful that the chief malcontents (most of '.vhom had at ono time or other been expelled from either Government service or from the mission) seized the opportunity of poisoning still more the minds of their followers. Thero is gradually, but surely, rising up in this particular section of tho community a wall of opposition which, if it does not cause trouble, ought not to he minimised. It is a position that demands careful and wise handling. Tho question _ arises naturally, what harm could Fijians do if they did become violent ? The lives of 3000 white people aro in the hands of 87,000 Fijians. Would the latter go so far as to take life It i& improbable. Tho Fijian, bloodthirsty as lie used to be, is shocked at the very idea of murder. The likelihood is that ho would confine his attacks to property, cut down banana and sugar plantations and the like. This sort of thing happened not long ago on the Tailevu coast, when the lease-money cf a certain property did not conic up to tiio demands of the native landowners. Tho latter swept in and destroyed the work of years in a few hours. The punishment that followed did not in any way damp the fierco joy which they experienced as they indulged in that wild "namunamu," as they call it. What thoy did tiien they will do again if their anger bo excited to the required pitch. Loyalty to tho Crown. Tho other side of the caso is much more hopeful. Tho nation as a whole ,is undoubtedly loyal to the British Crown. Tho people have hitherto always expressed their respcct for British administration. Many of them aro shocked beyond measure at tho out' rages perpetrated by the Ccrmsm army and navy. They say that in their early history, in the days of their darkness, they would not have been so cruel. Tho more enlightened of tho Fijians pray for tho victory of Britain and her Allies, becauso they helievo her right. Their faces light np when they hear of an Allies' victory. Their gifts havo boon munificent towards the war funds.

Tho unrest is so deep-rooted, howevei, that tlie lavii.lt,v oxistn at pre sent will shortly ba strained unless

some wise arid definite action be taken. The internment of a few Germans inaj be a precaution, but is not going to chango materially the complexion of the problem. Iron hand suppression will result in serious trouble. If we can judge by precedents in the past, Britain lias been most successful with hor subjects when she has liberated them. And the Fijian* will prove 110 exception to tho rule. Instead, therefore, of treating the attempts at commercial enterptise of the Fijian people with scant courtesy, or at the best with amused toleration, if soma attempt wore to be made to guide them, a real benefit would ensue. The Fijian would then fool ho lias a friend in the white man, and would Topay handsomely for the trouble taken. The Fijians themselves will doubtless make many mistakes even under guidance, but surely tho tuition of leaders in commerce would not be too great a task in its spontaneous loyalty to the Empire. Some may think that the introduction of the Fijian people to the world of commerce would be detrimental to tho interests of business people in tho group. Tliis is an illusion. Tho more money the Fijians get tho more they will spend, and they will not confine themselves, as at presont, _ to tho purchase of the smallest articles atid barest necessaries.