FIJIAN AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 32, 6 February 1903, Page 4

FIJIAN AFFAIRS.

£ ' PKK PHISS ASBOCIATJOH. j jfe Sydhet, February 4. f In an interview, Mr E. Magnus, who . | tawell-knomn in cot nee'ion vsi'.h Fij, . declared that Mr Berkeley'" charges cf : tyranny over the natives and unjust taxation were only t*» true. Sir E. Barton's dtclaration that there ( is no feeling in favour of annexation display;, according to Mr Magnus, a wonderful ignorance of the subject, ■specially in view of the fact that Mr -Berkeley has taken to England a petition bearing a thousand signatures ► asking tin King to redrees the grievsbcm c f the Fijians. Europeans also signed the petition. As regards the tdk about annexation to New Zealand, there is some mis- . apprehension on the point. The natives wish to amalgamate with any one who •will change the present lamentable . state of slavery. Why New Zealand is 'mentioned so promiaently is b. cause the idea has got abroid that the Commonwealth dees not want anything to do with black peaple. Another * thing is that Now Zealand is much closer to Fiji, and there is a better chance ef trade with the colony. New Z-aland is also used to ruling natives, and the -FijLatß would be glad to btj pl&csd under similar rule to the Maoris- - Traversing Mr Allardyce's stite- * aente, Mr. Magnus says (hat thequee- ■ tion cf the incidence of taxation is one of the strongest grounds of complaint embodied in the peti'i.n nicm

land by Mr Berkeley. Mr Magnus alle«e3 that the natives are denied trial by jury and aie fo-ced to s*rve both in the mi ! itary r.nd * police. If they refuse they can be st ntenced to long terms of imprisonment. As things exist at present the FijifU. native is little better than a slav?. Uvea if he attempts to leave the coloay be can be gaoled for a lengthy period, and if he stays at home ho is to be put ja gaol if he does not work for nothing. It is a well-known fact that the Government officials only tell one side of tha story. They know very well hi? they ate hiving a go'jd time under the present regime and if a change is madethoy will be fouud out. Tbe Fsjiuss Imv.i great hope?, however, from the administration of tbe new Governor, Sir Henry Jackson.

Wellington, February 5. Mr Seddon has i ecaived a communication through the Governor s'ating that the now Governor of Fiji, Sir Henry Jsckson, has bean asked to report on the question cf giving mare effective representation on the Executive Council of Fiji to the European residents and natives. Consideration will be given to Mr Seddon's suggestion in regard to constructing roids and bridges. The Secretary of State says that be hopes Mr Seddon will appreciate the necessity for c'enling cautiously with matters of importance in Fiji and his suggestions will receive cartful consideration.