The Daily News. FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 1901. FEDERATION WITH FIJI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 194, 30 August 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 1901. FEDERATION WITH FIJI.

The question of federation between New Zealand and Fiji is not receiving the attention its importance demand*. Party polities are so ridden to death in this colony that matters involving the future welfare of the colony are often ntglected because they are favoured by one or other of the political partieH. This question of federation with Fiji is being opposed by a certain section in this colony because the Bight Hod. thn Premier is supposed to be anxious for it to be effected. No doubt he is, but it is because of the enormous benefit that will be derived by this colony and Fiji by such a union. Every argument that can be urged in favour of federa tion between New Zealand and Australia applies with twofold force in the case of Fiji, without the corresponding disadvantages. Fiji and the neighbouring islands will, as time goes ob, afford a splendid market for a very large portion of what New Zealand has to export, while nearly everything that Fiji and the Islands have to export will find a ready market in this colony. The figures showing the trade between this colony and the Islands prove this. They also go to show that while New Zealamd is taking a larger portion of the produce of the Islands, New South Wales is supplying the wants of the islanders to a much larger extent than New Zealand. Federation would bring the greater portion of the trade to this colony, and this is the secret of the opposition to federation between New Zealand and Fiji on the part of New South Wales. How the matter is looked at in Fiji is shown by the following extract from the New Zealand Times :— " There is undoubtedly a strong desire amongst a section of the white population of tha Fiji group for federation with New Zealand. An officer of the Fijian Government, jn a Jetter to a friend in New Zealand, states that the feeling is general that federation would be of very great advantage to Fiji, and that there is indeed urgent necessity for it, In Suva the question has boen freely discussed, and many of the leading men are anxious that steps should be taken towards federation, they considering that such a course would prove of great benefit, not only to Fiji, but also tp New Zealand. He concludes his letter with £be remark, " Surely, if this feeling is so the consummation so devoutly to be wished cannot be so very far off. At the memor. able banquet tendered to the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon in Fiji, when on his island tour some fifteen months ago, the Warden of Suva, in his addrees of welcome, said that the peop'e in Fiji' felt that the only remedy for their grievances was federation wi'.h New Zealand. They did not desire amal-i gamation with New South Wales or] Queensland, which colonw possessed tropical climates of their own. There! was every advantage to be gained from federation with New Zealand. Speaker after speaker, men prominent in the Government of these beautiful tropical is'ands, referred to the advantages that would accrue, and exhorted Jf r, Seddon to take the islands under his protec tion." Mr. Seddon, in replying, promised to do his best for the Fijhns ; and undoubtedly he has not forgotten the sentiments expressed that night. Feeling ran so high that the horses wern taken from the carriage wh ; ch was to convey the Premier bick to the wharf, and he was drawn round the streets >y a number of men, followed by cheering crewds. It may be remembered that the Governor of Fiji, Sir George

quet. Those acquainted with Fiji know i chat the desire tor federation his been general for * very long time. The traders require better steamer provision for their large and increasing export trade, and also better m»il facilities. The Union Company has attended to the trade loyally in the past, but the traders urge that the New Zealand Government should assist in providing for a more frequent seamer service to New Zealand, and in malting better provision for trade relatione generally. Whelhsr or not tha ultimate federation of various islard groups, including Tonga, will ba realised, is a large question ; but it seems certain that federation with New Zealand is much desired in F ji.