THE GOVERNMENT OF FIJI

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2832, 25 July 1916, Page 6

THE GOVERNMENT OF FIJI

ME : HOLMAN'S IMPRESSIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. 'Auckland, July 24. As the result of a short visits Fiji, . the Hon. W. A. Holman, Premier of New .x South,, Wales; who is a passenger for Syd- "-. Bey by the Niagara,, admitted that he had somewhat changed his views in re- . ■ -gard to the desirability of some modification of the system of administering the ..Crown Colony of Fiji. . . "While I-was in. Fiji," said Mr. Holman, "I. met a number of residents interested in the question of tho introduction of some change, in tho present' method of administration. I may esplain .that it' was a .matter in which. I had no official concern; but it is impossible, for a visitor to Fiji to avoid hearing a great deal about these proposals. I coiifess I went there a; glint deal -biased, against any such-idea but"! am bound to say that after tho statements, of those .who support 4l it, and . ascertaining the ;m'agriitude of the mover -ment-in favour-of a change, I have come away satisfied that it is" a-matter thatdemands close and serious consideration. . A petition is receiving signatures representing, I am' assured, nearly two-thirds " of tho population of tho Islands, and •what 011 the face of them are weighty reasons are being advanced-in support of the change. It was impossible for me, dnring my short visit,- to acquaint myself • with the actual merits of tho proposals, "even if my visit wits directed to-'that end, which it was not, but I am certain- : ly impressed,v;ith the feeling of tho residents that the matter should.be considered' by the New Zealand and Australian Governments. "It is only .right to say," . added Mr, Holman. _ that, so far as I can gather, the petition was - directed solely at the system and not in any wiiy.at Sir Bickham Sweet-Escott, the present Governor, ,who is recognised as a most canablo administrator."