Sydney Methodist Conference.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43067, 12 March 1907, Page 2

Sydney Methodist Conference.

A SHAM FIJIAN PRINCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) SYDNEY, YesterdayDuring the discussion at the Methodist Conference on the recommendations of the recent commission to Fiji recommending the admission of natives as representatives to the Fiji Synod, Rev. Burgess, of Fiji, said the Fijian was not capable of dealing with the matters that would come before that body. He stated that recently a man had been sent to Australia who made the people here the laughing-stock of Fiji. The man was named Niko Rabuku, but who was known in Australia as Ratu Niko Rabubu. In Figian, Ratu meant “ prince,” but the man had no princely blood in his veins. The title was tacked on just for the trip, and he was only an ordinary member of his tribe, hut had been landed and feted in Australia, the people not knowing he had only just been admitted to the membership of the church. The story of the sham Fijian prince produced considerable disorder, attempts being made to suppress the matter. Eventually other business was proceeded with.