FIJI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 242, 19 September 1872, Page 6

FIJI.

The trade avertisements in the Fiji Times give a curious indication of the unsettled political feeling of ■ the country. A large number of them, offering wares for sale, contain the notification, !l No Fiji Government no es, taken." One advertising au estate for sale, gives " the suicidal policy of the Fijian Government" asthe owner* reason for selling. Another person, wanting -to- sell a publichouse, says, '.' The cole r,ea«on for the owner -leaving- Fiji is the excessive- and exorbitant taxation." Then, a lot of freehold properties are to be disposed of, "on account of the unsettled state of Fiji, through the action of the present Government." Another gives as his reasons for wishing to leave the island, "the maladministration of the laws and excessive taxation." Perhaps all these are not to be taken a 9 showing a bonafiie iiit3ntion to sell, but, as evidences of strong political hostility to the Government, they are significant on account of the concerted action they evince. Another curious advertisement summons " a meeting of gentlemen wishing to' form or found, a colony in New Guinea for the pur pose of taking into' coo.

sideration the desirability of sending 40 or 50 men to prospect the country, and report to the committee on the advisability of the people of Fiji emigrating to that country" — showing what has been often shown before, that "one of the first tendencies of even the smallest colony of Englishmen is to look out for some other place to settle as a sort of sub-colony. The Fiji correspondent of the Southern Cross says :— «• Unquestionably in Fiji the unprincipled canaille are the only people who are securing monetary wealth, since integrity and righteous principles are at a fearful discount, and wickedness of the worst type is at a premium." The same writer says that " the roll of magistrates contains the names of many persons who have suffered shorter or longer terms of imprisonment in one or more of Her Britannic M-jesty's gaols."