THE TROUBLE IN FIJI

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1920, Page 1

THE TROUBLE IN FIJI

WELLINGTON, Feb. 7

The Governor-General lias been advised by the Governor of Fiji that the position regarding the strike of Indians at Fiji is as follows: — “ All the Indian workers are still out at Suva ,Rewa, and the south coast centres. They put forward po demands before striking, and it was only late last week that they submitted a statement of their grievances by a deputation to me. 1 thereupon appointed a commission to enquire into the whole question of wages and the high cost ot living which is-stated to he the whole cause of the trouble. The Commission has been welcomed by the pubic generally, and by the Indiians, who are selecting representatives to give evidence, and are preparing statements. «< Agitators have been trying to ex-

tend the strike to the sugar centres ot the north coast and west coast, but yesterday tlio Colonial Sugar Refining Co made a substantial offer of an increase in wages and the price for cane to the Indian employees and groucis. i have not yet heard whether these have been accepted. Large numbers of Indians at Suva and Row a arc not out willingly,. but the others encouraged by agitatois, < preventing them from resuming work by intimidatiom^^^^^.