MR. HOLLAND IN FIJI

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 162, 5 April 1920, Page 4

MR. HOLLAND IN FIJI

. « - •LABOUR MEMBERS' INQUIRIES. Sneaking in.the Paramount Theatre last night, Mr. H. B. llolhuKld.flir.nan of the Parliamentary Labour Party, referred to his inquiries among the .lnd:ans in Fiji regarding the recent industrial troubles. He said he had been cssured bv the Prime Minister before the party left' New Zealand that no restrictions would be placed on members' investifiations. Before the party landed fit I'iji, Sir-James Allen asked members to giyo an undertaking that no questions would be put to the Indians. The members were going ashore as the guests of the Fiji Government, and they should not do anything to re-kindlc industrial troubles. Mr. Holland refused to give th : 6 undertaking, and when he landed he got into touch with Indian leaders. He had a "long interview" with them. Later the "Fiji Times" published a report of his movements, and bo was convinced that he had been watched by SP His inquiries, added Mr. Holland, had shown that the trouble in I'iji had an economic foundation. The coolies demanded' an advance to ss. a day, owing to the high cost of living. Once dio strike started, the women took a hand, and "did things which probably they ought not to have done" in their dealings with "traitors." But he had been told that-the Fijian Government need! never have employed armed force. Ine Indian women had presented a netition to the Government on the subject of the increase, in the cost of living, and had quoted figures to show that tho old wages had becomo inadequate. Thoy a<ked for ss. a day as a reasonable wage. Mr Holland condemned the Lousing provided for the coolies at Fiji, and said that drastic restrictions had been placed on the Indians' right of meeting and movement. He had learned that Indians were still beaten in conno.'.tioii w : th their work, and that the moral conditions belonging to the employment of Indians in Fiji were a.disgrace to the British Empire. Very many of Ihe Indians wanted to get aWay from i'rji, but they could not do it.