THE LATE DISTURBANCE AT LEVUKA.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 35, 16 November 1871, Page 3

THE LATE DISTURBANCE AT LEVUKA.

(FROM THE “FIJI TIMES.”) On Monday, Levuka witnessed an unwonted sight. For the first time, we believe, in the annals of Fiji, an armed force of whites, destined to act against their fellow whitemen, was called into existence. These brave men looked to great advantage on this momentous occasion. Tall men, with Snider carbines, and short men with long Enfields, and a great many men with side arms, marched from the station-house to the court at ten of the clock on Mnnday. The more thoughtless among the citizens laughed incontinently at the novel sight, and smiled as they recognised some friend in the ranks of the newly raised levies. But men who were able to look beneath the surface of things and see principles at stake, where others saw only accidental circumstances, smiled a more bitter smile, and the blood mantled in their checks as they thought that now forsooth the so-called Government had thrown off the mask aud summoned to its aid an armed force. And for what ? Ostensibly to protect from rescue an absconder whom the public were to a man most anxious should be sent out of the Group. The strangest part, however, of the proceedings has yet to be narrated. Before the prisoner could be tried it was necessary to prove that the court had a legal existance. The agents or ministers of Cakobau forsooth first issue warrants to arrestindividuals, then they sentence them, then they punish them, and finally enquire ' whether after all the Court be legal ? Surely such a comedy of errors is as undignified as it is scandalous. Why was not all doubt as to the legality of the Court removed before the first white man

was incarcerated, and placed in a stifling cell along with Fijians ? Had ; this been done there would have been no release of Wilson, and no occasion to formedicate public opinion by the sight of breechloders or sword bayonets. Had the public been satisfied of the legality of Orders in Council, there, would have been no disposition to take Wilson out of his well-earned prison, or to interfere even in appearance with the cause of law and order. We say advisedly, even in appearance, for in reality law and order were never for one moment threatened. The men who released Wilson did so to vindicate a principle, viz., that until Parliament meets the so-called Government of Cakobau have no actual anthority. Their actions are not legal till endorsed by the representatives of the people in Parliament assembled. Well, it appears that such is not the law as at present expounded. Cakobau is now shown to be absolute King of Bau. By a stroke of his regal pen he has already given us the Hawaiian code, which Mr. Burt in early days declared to be tyrannical, and if we mistake not unsuitable to Fiji. However, the law lords have given their decision, — Cakobau is King of Bau —“ God save the King,” say we. Those who live in his dominions are now bound to. obey , him, and his position and theirs is logically defined. But his dominions at present are rather contracted, and we cannot say that many inducements are being held out to the white men of the Group to try and enlarge them. But if King of Bau, then King of Fiji, say the lawyers—he has been crowned —he has been received with acclamations and huzzas by thousands of loyal subjects. Whether he has been crowned with a. kerosene tin or anything else, matters not one fig. The principle is the same ; and it is about principles that thoughtful minds contend. And after all no one denied that Cakobau was King of Bau ; and as such he is welcome to receive salvos of artillery from, friendly ships of war. But surely this is not all that the Government have to show in the way of results ? The public had hoped for something more. They had hoped for the intimate union df every portion of the Group under a strong but thoroughly Constitutional Government. But seriously, if the policy that of late has been pursued by Ministers continues to be their policy, who will wish to join Bau ? We believe no ono. It cannot be too strongly urged at this criris on the representatives of the people that the. ultimate fate of this country is in their hands. There is no fear of stopping the Government, {is some persons vainly, imagine, by opposing the present Ministry. At least if such be the case it is. evident to every thinking person that this community is not yet fit for reprentive Government. Plenty of men as able as they will be willing can be found to conduct the affairs of the country. Were it not so we should indeed despair of the future of Fiji. But those who now hold office have outstepped their authority in a manner that is perfectly unaccountable. Why send to Sydney for fifty thousand pounds’ worth of paper money, for a large consignment of revolvers, of handcuffs, of legions ? Why put off the opening of Parliament a month? Why threaten to confiscate shins if their Order in Council were not obeyed ? Why do a great many other high handed acts which will be reviewed in their proper place and at the proper time ? . Surely men who have acted thus are unprofitable servants,, and only cumber the ground ! —[Communicated.]