MISSIONARY TROUBLES AT FIJI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 49, 25 February 1903, Page 2

MISSIONARY TROUBLES AT FIJI.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION, j Melbourne, Fcbi uary 23. r Mr Dunca", Mayor of Suva, who is j now visiting Australia, in the course of b an interview, spoke highly of the com - mercial progress of Fiji. He characterises the reeen':allegations with reference t to tyrannic il administration as amusing, - and declared that tbe Fijians were one - of the most contented and happy people ! in tbe King's dominiin". Melbourne, February 24. i Mr Duncac, in an interview, said t th it he regarded the Bible burning l incident as the m a 1; seriou9 matter ihit had ccciirred in Fiji. Ninety per cent. of the Fijians, ho said, were - Methodist', aud they only r<quired ar .".ble leader to causa a fierce struggle aod loss of life. The Methodist", said Mr Duncan, worked hand in hand with theGmrnraent, and would probably act on good f advice and not figh*-, but if the testaj ments had been burned, and unless thi> greit iiisulc to their religioD was j r moved, the rosu'ts would be such as , would surpriss thoss who did not know , the native character. Beneath the skiu, the Fijian was still a savage domou to figh 1 -, and onca the Methodists and Catholics came into conflict, the result would be very serious. Mr Duncan could not help thinking tbat a niisbake had been made in appointing a Catholic Governor to a youcj; protestant colony.