THE TROUBLE AT FIJI

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 111, 4 February 1920, Page 6

THE TROUBLE AT FIJI

4 TUTANEKAI'S MISSION. The Government steamer Tutniiekai has left Wellington for Auckland, en 'route for Fiii, and the ship will carry an armed force. The force is under the command of Major E. Puttirk, D.5.0., and it consists of fifty men. It is being cent to Fiii for the protection of the lives and property of the white population of the islands, in case it should haDnen that the striking Indian labourers become violent. The members of tha force left Wellington last night for Auckland, where they will join the ship. There is a Rood deal of misunderstandins about the censorship that has been imposed on news between Fiji and New Zpolawl. The Prime Minister stated vestordnv that the censorship had been imposed at the Fijian end, and not in New Zealand, lie added that all news in connection with the dispatch of the shit) and the force from this country would lw censored here if any attempt were made to send it out of New Zealand. It might be published in this ennntrv. Mr. Massev explained yesterday why it was that New Zealand was sending the Tutniiekai on this -unusual mission. "The venuest for the Tutanekai, toeefher with arms and ammunition," said Mr. Massev," came from the Governor of Fiii. who was impressed with the necessity of doing something, to show that the European settlers were not altogether unprepared for an emergency. My own opinion, however, is that there will bo no npoossitv for the force, for from what I saw of the Fiiians during my different short visits to the group, I believe the natives of the islands will lift only too nleased to act with the British authorities, and the European population gencrallv in ease of an outbreak by the resident Indians. So far as the latter are concerned, too, I was rmich impressed with the peaceable demeanour of those I had the opportunity of seeing."