THE FIJI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1920, Page 6

THE FIJI STRIKE.

HINDUS RESUMING. NO HURRY FOR RETURN OF NEW ZEALAND FORCE. The following message, dated ary 21st, from the Governor of Fiji, has been received by the Governor-Genpr.it of New Zealand:—"lndian strike, Fiji, All have returned to work at Suva and Rewa, and complete order prevails. No development as regards northern and western districts." The Prime Minister, interviewed by a Times reporter, said'that he had nothing to add to the above message. It was all he knew himself as to the position.

Referring to the men of the New Zealand Permanent Force recently sent to help to maintain order in Fiji, Mr. Ma - sey said that he did not think that the authorities would be in any hurry to send them back for a week or two yet. They would let the trouble settle down first.

QUIETENING DOWN. COOLIES HAVE HAD A GOOD LESSON. Auckland, Feb. 24. The Star's correspondent at Suva writes on February 14th: "There seems a likelihood of things quietening down. Matters at Lautoka Ba, Labaacn, and other Indian centres are quiet, but it i-i the general opinion that there nvill be no guarantee of peace while the leaders are left at liberty, and their early arrest or deportation is looked for. There are no grounds for alarm for the general safety of all classes, and the Nationalists are against the Indians." Writing from Suva on February 18th, the correspondent states: "The Indians are coining in and resuming work. The municipal council put on fifty men on Tuesday, and many others have resume! elsewhere. All Indians must be within doors by 7 o'clock, and none are allowed in Suva by day without a permit. At Nausori and Navua the men are returning to work, and everything is reported quiet. There are some ✓who predict a recrudescence of the trouble, but the coolies have had a good lesson, and should give no more trouble, although there may be individual cases of repayment for injuries received."