ANNEXATION OF FIJI.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 24, 5 February 1873, Page 3

ANNEXATION OF FIJI.

The Fiji Timet says: “ The movement is spreading in favor of annexation, notwithstanding the' assertion of the Government that it is dying out. Since they made that assertion in their journal, we have received direct information from Sava Sava of an almost unanimous petition to Britain for annexation, there being only one or two dissentients. From Rewa the oatcry is against the present system of government, which is characterised as * ruinous,* and the general feeling is in favor of annexation to Britain. Natewa, that terra incognita in Fiji, also has its opinion on this matter, which is for annexation. If we look nt the condition of Fiji at the present moment, under the present system, wliat do we find ? An insolvent Government, carried on in the most reckless and expensive manner; a deluge of worthless Treasury notes; and nearly all articles of foreign production at more than double their former price. As regards the future prospects of the country, it is patent to any man of reflective mind that the present state of affairs cannot long continue. The Government will shortly be unable to meet a single tithe of its engagements, we apprehend, and, were that to happen, nothing would remain for us but repudiation, and, with repudiation, adieu to the last rag of.our credit. We have neither a soldier nor policeman for our protection; and, notwithstanding the repeated promises from Government of the complete subjection of the mountaineers long before this, no attempt has been made, or will be made, we believe. Major Fitzgerald was indeed sent down here with twenty native soldiers, who, of course, did nothing. As to the postal arrangements, nothing can be more misatisfactory. In tendering his resignation, Mr. Ireland said: ‘ln reply to your requisition (numerously signed by the planters and residents of the province) calling upon me to resign my seat as your representative in the Parliament of Fiji, I have much pleasure in acceding to your request, and, at the same time, beg to say that there is no statement contained in it that I do not endorse.’ ”