HOW THE FIJIAN LABOUR IS ACQUIRED.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 69, 28 December 1871, Page 3

HOW THE FIJIAN LABOUR IS ACQUIRED.

The following facts are copied from the London Literary World, of October 20tli. and may not be uninteresting to ourreaders: —I have given some specimens of the sort of way, things are managed amongst the islands, and the complaint the chiefs and others made me during my recent cruise ; hut the traders have resorted to a cleverer dodge for filling their vessels, which, however, can only be practised once at the same part of the island. Their proceedings arc somewhat as follows : A vessel painted white like the mission schooner, and about the time Bishop Patteson is going his rounds, appears in sight of an island. A boat is sent on shore with the most iespectablc-looking of the white individuals on board, having a white choker on, blue spectacles, a book that may pass for a Bible under his arm, and an umbrella over his head. The news quickly spreads—“ Bishop come to see us!” and down they crowd to the beach. The boat nears the shore. Ah ! this is not the Bishop, but a strange missionary. He speaks a little of the language, however, and says the Bishop is on board the schooner, hut had a bad accident the other day at sea, falling down and breaking his leg, so he cannot stop long, but must go to Sydnoj 7 to the doctor. He wants to see his dear friends on board before he goes, as he cannot come on shore to them. They are indeed sorry to hear that the Bishop has broken his leg. Several send their wives home for cocoa-nuts, yams, and bananas, while they themselves go off to see him. The strange missionary will stroll along the beach, and do a little bit of geology before lie goes on board. Soon the canoes are flying over the water towards the schooner, and from the time the boat first touches the beach, between fifty and sixty natives are on their way to see their kind friend Bishop Patteson, whose name, among these

islands, is never alluded to but with love, admiration, and respect. On reaching the vessel, which has drawn out a little from the shore, they are welcomed on board, and allowed to go about where they like, for only three or four can be admitted to the small cabin at a time, as the good Bishap must have plenty of air, and it is very close down below. The first comers go down the companion, and at the bottom are received, not by the Bishop, but by some of the crew, who, with pistols pointed to their heads, pass them into the vessel’s hold through an aperture in the bulkhead, cut for the purpose, where their hands are tied behind them, and they are left to ruminate on the advantages of civilisation, and the blessings which follow in its train. Being speedily joined by others, till the hold is full, they are perfectly helpless, the hatches above having been previously well secured, and everything made ready for their reception. Nothing can be known on shore of what is going on, and soon canoes laden with fruit are alongside, while the women and others imagine their husbands are down below with his lordship, and thus supplies for the voyage to Queensland or Fiji are laid in, and at the last the strange missionary is seen pulling back to the /schooner, which, on his arrival, stands out to sea, cutting adrift the canoes. The women, at last perceiving the treachery, raise their voices in screams and lamentations, only to be laughed at by the brutal ruffians on board. Although I do not pretend to say the above transaction was the actual modus operandi , I have the authority of Bishop Patteson as to the fact of its being committed, in which his supposed broken leg and its attendant consequences has been made to figure. Such are the sad revelations of this interesting book, which we commend to the notice of philanthropists and statesmen. Our author does not think that Queensland requires native labeur, but if she must he asks, “ Why do not the Queensland Government go to work in good faith, and place it under the strictest supervision, by having only known vessels, with masters and supercargoes of unblemished character, so as to ensure fair play ? Why don’t they have well paid officials at Tanna and Rotumah ? and, above all, when once in Queensland and under British rule, see that the natives are treated with justice and consideration. This has yet to he done." The author’s italics are expressive —surely its needless for us to say more.