STRIKE IX FIJI.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3406, 10 February 1920, Page 6

STRIKE IX FIJI.

ALL INDIANS STILL O JT. A CONFERENCE ARRANGED WELLINGTON, Ffb. 9. His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral has been advised by the Governor of Fiji that the position regarding the strike of Indians in Fiji is as follows; “All the Indian workers are still out at Suva, Eewa, and on the South Coast centres. They put forward no demands before striking, and it was only late last week that they submitted a statement of grievances by a deputation to me. I thereupon appointed a commission to inquire into the whole question of wages and the high cost of living, which is stated to be the cause of the trouble.

The Commission has ben welcomed by 7the public generally, and by the Indians, who are selecting representatives to give evidexice, and are preparing statements. :\git'-Ll-rs have been trying‘ to extend the strike’ to the sugar centres on the North Coas_t and West Coasxf, but yesterday the Colonial Sugar Refining Company made a substantial offer of increased wages and“illc_reuse<l price for cane to Indian employers and growers. I lmve not yet heard whether these have been ae‘cepfed. Large numbers of Indians at Suva. and Rewa a1"o out unwillingly, but the otliers, encouraged by agita-.-fors, are premnting them from resum--ing work by intimidation.’