METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8761, 12 March 1907, Page 2

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

A Sham Prince. Press Association.—Copyright. “Sydney, March 11. ■ During a discussion at the Methodist Conference on the recommendations of the recent Commission to Fiji, which recommended the admission of natives as representatives to the Fiji Syndtl, the Rev Burgess, of Fiji, said the Fijian was not capable of dealing with matters that would come before that body. He stated that recently a man was sent to Australia, who made people here the laughing stock of Fiji. The man was Nike Rabuku, who was known in Australia as Ratu Niko Rabubu. In Fijian Ratu meant prince, but the man had no princely blood in his veins. The title was tacked on for the trip. He was only an ordinary member of the tribe, but had been feted in Australia by people not knowing he had only just been admitted to membership in the church. The story of the sham Fijian prince produced considerable disorder, attempts being made to suppress the matter, and eventually other business was proceeded with