LATEST FIJI NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4911, 18 December 1876, Page 2

LATEST FIJI NEWS.

(BY TELEGRAPH.) (PER PRESS AGENCY.) Auckland, Sunday. Arrived, from Levuba, the Jessie Henderson, schooner. She brings news to the 29th November.

Governor Gordon delivered an important speeeh at Vuiia on the 23rd, in which he reviewed the condition and prospects of the colony, After observing that he had been right in warnitag them not to expect an immediate improvement after the establishment of the new form of government, he added that he fully expected during the next year the tide would turn and happier days would commence. In spite of all drawbacks the estimates of revenue and expenditure would be nearly realised. The amount received under the Native Taxes Ordinance had been much larger than ever before, and had been less expensively collected. In reference to the lands titles inquiry, complaints had been made of the slowness with which the work of the commissioners was performed. He thought the complaints were exaggerated, for the commissioners had worked zealously, and had decided over three hundred cases in as many days. He had expected better progress, and would promise to do all in his

power to stimulate their exertions. A great deal of unmeaning language had been used respecting the Ordinance, which provided that all sums advanced by the Crown for laborers’” wages and passage money should be made afirst charge on the lands on account of which it had been incurred. He called attention tothe unreasonableness of the dissatisfaction at Government imposing its own terms in regard to loans which it was under no obligation to advance ; and besides, Sir H. Robinson had publicly notified such an intention soon after the islands became a Crown colony. A large portion of the address was devoted to the difficulties attending getting labor. Both coolie* and Polynesians, although suitable, were too expensive, and Fijian labor,: while in any case insufficient in amount, was furtherrestricted by social and political considerations, which , forbade depopulating the country districts. He proposed ; to ask the sanction of the Imperial Government to raisea loan, to be applied partly* .to the introduction of immigrant labor and partly to advances to facilitate agricultural operations and to establish sugar manufacture onsound principles and a large scale. As bo the r S *°; w kere the seat of Government should be, four localities had been submitted to the Imperial Government—Levuk'a, Suva, Savn Savu, and Nadi. He believed the choice would rest between the first three. In conclusion, he said his policy was one which regarded the colony and its- inhabitants as a whole, and as such was likely to seem tamo and cold to those whose thoughts hopes and passions were engaged in. one particular object. He hoped, that the planters and 1 settlers would take every, opportunity of personally conferring with him on matters of importance to the colony;