FIJI'S DESIRE FOR ANNEXATION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2847, 11 August 1916, Page 6

FIJI'S DESIRE FOR ANNEXATION

COMMONWEALTH DR. DOMINION

Iho annexation 'of Fiji either by the Commonwealth or Now Zealand, it being equl-fiistanc from both, lias now been brought within the sphero of practical Pities (says the Sydney "Sunday rimes"). The petition from tho residents of these islands sets out the motives actuating theni in desiring a radical '.change in the forin of government. It reads as follows:—

■To the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies for- his consideration and submission to the Right lion, tho Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Right Hon. the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of and tho Right Hon. the Prime Minister <it tlit Dominion of New Zealand.

."The bumble petition of the signatories showeth:— . f "I. -Tho condition of'this colony, after forty years of Crown Colony Government, is not satisfactory. "2. Tho comparative stagnation of the peerless islands of'this group, in striking contrast to the development and progress of liis Majesty's self-governing possessions in the Pacific, is indicative of the urgent \ieed of a change iu the form of government and manner of administration that will permit of the more rapid development of the colony's great resources, a fuller state of con-' tentment iu its people, and an extended usefulness to tho Empiro. "3. The petitioners, with all due respect, would point out that they cannot avoid the conclusion that tho responsibilities of the Colonial Office are much too extfonsivo for their proper realisation and discharge, and with such immense territories scattered over the globe. and under the control of that single office, the colony of Fiji, small in territory, but immensely ■ rich in resources, cannot hope to receive that attention and understanding that are its need and due."

As evidencing tho need for a change in the form of government and manner of administration, tho petition sets out a number of reasons. Tile lack of education facilities is specially deplored, and u reorganisation or the presout expensive Civil Service is sought. It set out that tho personal emoluments of the Civil Service now bear the extraordinary ratio of 41 per cent, of the colony's total expenditure. Women, suffrage is also sought.

Tiio colony is without. railways, has few roads and bridges, and very inefficient means of .cominunicatioit. The settlement of nat'ivu lands has rcached a deadlock, to which position the policy of the Colonial Officii has materially contributed. No effort has beeumade, it is .objected, to force into the market by taxation or by legislation of any sort the thousands of acres of rich unimproved lands now in the hands of wealthy Europeans and European trading concerns. • The inequitable basis of • taxation is complained of, all revenue being raised exclusively through the Customs. Agitators for Miolesomo social legislation are rebuffed in every way, and the minority representation of the people's voice in the Legislative Council is taken great exception, to. Generally, tho legislative trend is denounced as jiopclessly conservative.