THE “VAGABOND” IN FIJI.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2396, 20 November 1880, Page 4

THE “VAGABOND” IN FIJI.

(“Auckland Herald”) An old Fiji settler writes to us : “ We have had a lecture on Fiji by the “ Vagabond.” It was his second attempt, and the general opinon is that it was a weak, biassed, and vulgar exhibition, so much so that most of the respectable people left the hall before the harangue, or so-called lecture was over. It is very clear that he was invited to come to Fiji by a few discontented political agitators, who vainly supposed that the “ Vagabond’s ” writings would intimidate the Governor, and bring about radical changes in the administration of the Government, and especially to assist in the idiotic agitation against the removal of the Government to Suva. In proof of this lie severely censured the Governor on the removal question, and spoke strongly against Suva before he had seen the place. There must now be a split in the camp, for, at his last lecture he showed the true cause of this agitation against the removal of the capital. Those who at first greeted the “ Vagabond’s advent with joy, are now sadder but wiser men. The missionaries gave him their patronage, entertained him at their houses and even lent him a boat and crew. He accepts all they have to give, and on his return to Levuka delivers a lecture in which he criticises their policy, and uses most uncalled for and insulting language towards their society ; and, as a climax openly jeers at the Christian Faith, llis principal sources of inferniation have been masters of small vessels, political obstructionists, and the usual hotel loafer. On returning to the colonies ho will probably villify the Governor and the Government, and in fact make sweeping assertions against everybody within his reach. We all know that there is nothing easier than fault-finding and criticism, and those partisans who encouraged such a champion to come already regret it, and will yet suffer from his narrowminded misrepresentations, which if they have any ulterior effect, it will be to prevent capital from finding its way to Fiji. The Levuka partisans, therefore, who encouraged him to come will be the greatest sufferers by his labors, which have been directed against the true interests of Fiji.