FEDERATION.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 3 December 1901, Page 4

FEDERATION.

The “Polynesian Gazette” of November 16th says:—‘‘Federation matters have been coming into prominence lately, and the leading spirits in the movement seem to be waking up again, During the last few weeks some of the Fijians who are known to be Working hard for the cause hate been unusually ajtive, and, in fad, a petition for Federation with New Zealand has been going round the native villages for signature. It was stipulated at the time that those who signed it were also to pay amounts ranging from Is for men to 3d for youths in order to provide a fund to meet the expenses of a deputation to England on the subject. This, however) we hoar, did not meet with the response anticipated, as, although _ the Fijian might be willing to sign the petition he was decidedly averse to putting his hand into his pocket. In many ways the native emissaries spread their views throughout the villages, and at length the Government decided to take action and bring the two ringleaders, Avorosa and Savanaca Eadomodomo, underthe provisions of the Ordinance No 10 of 1887, by which they can be confined in any particular district. It was resolved that these two men should be confined on the small island of Oneata, one of the Laud Group, tor two years, and warrants were accordingly issued for their arrest. Avorosa was arrested on Monday, and goes to his exile in the Kia Ora to-morrow morning. Savanaca had, up to the time of writing, escaped the cons able. Avorosa belongs to duva You, and is well-known to Suva residents. The other man was for some time a native Stipendiary Magistrate, first at BiU, and afterwards at Serua and Sokaudrove, but as ho proved himself in many ways unfitted for the position he was dismissed from the service. It is not, so far as we can learn, alleged that they are disloyal to their King and country, but simply that they are causing dissatisfaction in the minds of the natives, and thereby endangering the peace and good order of the colony.” Presumably the act of clemency of the Administrator in releasing the men who were confined at Kadava has not had the effect of quietening the natives, but has simply stimulated the ring-leaders to fresh efforts.