AFFAIRS IN FIJI.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 16, 21 January 1901, Page 3

AFFAIRS IN FIJI.

TROUBLOUS TIMES. TALK OF AMATIVE BISING. THE GOVERNOR SLANDERING NEW ZEALAND. A PROBLEM FOR SEDDON. Bv Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright Sydney, last night. The citizens of Suva and the Fiji Federal League wrote requesting Mr Seddon to convey to the Government of the Commonwealth their congratulations on its inau S“^‘ l ° n ’ regret that they were not represented at so hi Thena«v o es C o a fNausori wrote to the Governm2'of Fiji. refusing to do any more work at rnad-reDairmc unless paid tor it. unau man of the Federal League, forwardmg acopy of the letter to Mr Seddon, states that he had advUed the natives to go back to the,r Ws and wait quietly for a reply. It is from sucn a matter as this that a rising might be apprehended. The natives were mlormed tha every effort is being made, with thc he 'P ° New 7 Zealand, to bring about a change of g Ta“other letter from the Federal League it is pointed out that the Governor s action in ordering that his speech at the opening of the Hospital should be read at every vil age in ,hc .olony, Stoi’S ihiw A j-r-wv against those in any way connected with New Zealand. The Governor, is atiU sendin officials to the various districts to hold “eet inns Tho Federation League entreats Mr Seddon to use his influence to prevent the continued circulation of slanders by Governor against the whites and New Zealand n nd suggests the telegraphing to the Secrotaiy for the Colonies on the subject. A letter lrom a leading personage in ri]! urge the removal of Governor 0 Brien ’ a3 T ,-!?[- is not only opposed to tho closer union of Fiji with Now Zealand, but is also opposed to the extension f New Zealand’s influence amongst tho Islands. Governor O’Brien regard the strictures of tho Press in Now Zealand and Australia as evidence of the “ the blow ho has struck at what he terms tno impudent aspirations of thePremiorofNcw Zealand. Tho writer predicts that while n this framo of mind Governor 0 Brien probably bo a most mischiovous mUuence in tho Pacific. There is reason to believe that he intends to instruct the Deputy-Commis-sioner at Tonga to circulate confidentially his speech at the Hospital opening. There is no doubt that Governor O Bnen wl bo strongly backed in England by Lord Stan more (formerly Sir Arthur Gordon) and he Exeter Hall party. The writer trusts thaHhe ortheEmpte'wifl ha W ve tlm effect ol Mgaffect Australia, and will spread l to the ■ New Hebrides and tho Solomons, where Fijian is * 'in reference'to tho proposal of thedeputaHon to the Rev. Mr Slade, the latter, in a letter to Mr Seddon, states that his church Sill no accept the demand of the Governor for his removal. The Governor would have to retire from the position he ha jjSsfade’s or issuo an order-in-council for Mr blades arrest. If he did the latter, Mr Slade intended to destroy it and aHowthoGovernor to arrest and imprison him. The writer also states that tho Governor continues to publish and emphasizo his slandors on New Zealand throughout the group. If a proper re erondum of the natives were taken it would declare overwhelmingly for fcderation-not that they understand it, but because they have suffered so greatly under the present regime.