The Governorship of Fiji.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 87, 31 January 1885, Page 3

The Governorship of Fiji.

Tim presence of the Hon. J. B. Thurston, Colonial Secretary of Fiji, in London, where he has ju&t been banquetted by Sir. W t Me Arthur, is explained by two things. One is the resolution to re-open the question of German land claims in Fiji, which, with the British claims, were dealt with very summarily ; the other is the expiration of Governor Dcs Vceux's term of oflice. Mr Thurston returns at once to Fiji for the purpose, to use the words of the cablegram, of "administering the Government "" — a duty which he performed very efficiently during Governor Dcs Vceux's protracted absence in Australia twelve months ago. That ho will receive the permanent appointment is not unlikely, and the office would be worthily bestowed. The recent refusal of the Imperial Government to sanction the Loan Ordinance for the importation of labour, to bo disposed of to the small planters on deferred payments, will, however, make the position of the new Governor., whoever he may be, extremely onerous and trying. Commercial affairs in Fiji are at a very low ebb. Sugar, the one hope and stay of the colony, is depressed, and most of the planters are on the verge of bankruptcy. Deprived of their local supplies of labour mainly through the Government regulations and restrictions, they were looking with hope, after years of trial, to the measure of relief which the Loan Ordinance promised. It had received the sanction of the Governor, and the Executive Council, which is the best guarantee of its absolute necessity to save the colon}', for the present Governor has shem n no great readiness to meet the wishes of the planters. The consequence of its disallowance will be to throw the country into the hands of a few large companies. Men who have spent the best years of their lives in lighting against adverse conditions are now giving up the struggle in despair, and leaving for countries where capital and labour have greater certainty of reward.