POSITION IN FIJI.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1920, Page 6

POSITION IN FIJI.

TROUBLE OVER WAGES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Feb, 7. His Excellency the Governor-General has been advised hy the Governor of Fiji that the position regarding the strike of Indians ill Fiji is as follows: "All the Indian workers are still out at Suva, Rewa, and south coast centres. They put forward no demand before striking, and it was only late last week that they submitted a statement of their grievances by deputation to me. I thereupon appointed a commission to inquire into the whole question of wages and the liigh cost of living which is stated to be the cause of the trouble. "The commission has been welcomed by the pitiblic generally, and by the Indians, who are selecting representatives to give evidence and preparing statements. Agitators have been trying to extend the strike to the sugar centres on Ihe north coast and west coast, but yesterday the Colonial Sugar Refining Companv made a substantial offer of increased wages and the price for cane to Indian employees and growers. I have not yet heard whether these have been accepted. Large numbers of Indians at Suva and Rewa are out unwillingly, but '-he others, encouraged bv agitators, are preventing i them from resuming work by intimidation."