NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 468, 9 July 1902, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association); AUCKLAND, last night. The Crown Mines crushed dS-33 tons for bullion worth £5905. NA PI UK, last night. At the inquest on Maud Dean, who whs shot by her brother on Sunday, a verdict of accidental death was returned, the jury adding a rider that more care should he taken by youths in the handling of firearms. ASHBURTON, last night. The Ashburton Woollen Mills have changed hands. The Mosgiel Company were the owners for, /.some years/, and about a month ago closed the mills down. The new proprietary, whose names are not disclosed, expect to resume operations early in August. Later.; 'Hie purchaser of the Ashburton Woollen .Mills is Mr .John Mills-, of Port Clmlmer.s ,on behalf of the Timaru Company. DUNEDIN, last night. Mr Thomas Callender, well known in mining and bowling circles, died this j morning. FIJI PROBLEMS, 7 OPINION OF MR JAMES ALLEN. (Per Press Association. ) AUCKLAND, last night. Mr James Allen, M.H.R., who visited Fiji in the Waikare excursion, in an article entitled “ The Problem of Fiji,” says “ The Fijians have apparently lost the power of increasing. Diseases and epidemics introduced by whites are making ravages cn the .Native population, and the present conditions, unless corrected, threaten the extermination of the Fijians. “ 'Hie question of Federation may be traced principally to the disaffected whites. Some Natives repeated Hie cry 1 Federation with New Zealand,’ not knowing what it meant; others as an expression of personal grievance ; hut it is almost impossible to get Native opinion on the subject. “ That the whites have grievances cannot be questioned, for they have no voice in the election of Legislative Councillors. Those who are traders pay an industry tax, and all pay Customs duties ; but what representation can be given for them which would he fair to them and to the Natives ? “ The prime consideration ought to lie the Native, and it is very questionable whether at this transition stage anything better can be devised for them than the present Crown Colony Government. 11 One cannot help coining to the conclusion that in respect to the welfare of the Native race they are belter left at present 1(1 be governed as they, are, confident as one may well .be that every effort is being; made to conserve their identity and better their conditions. It seems best to allow the evolution in respect to Fiji, New Zealand, and tlic Commonwealth to proceed, watch ng for the opportunity of closer union. “Strong argumjenls/Jccdp New Zealand aloof from so close a tie as- the Commonwealth, blit there seems no reason why a closer union than exists may not eventuate, and in that union it may he hoped that Fiji and other Pacific islgnds will some day find a place,.’-