FIJI AFFAIRS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 886, 9 May 1903, Page 4

FIJI AFFAIRS.

Per Press Association

Wellington, last night. Some light is thrown upon the recent cable messago rc tho question asked by Mr Wason in the House of Commons re securing a report from Mr Seddon on Fijian affairs by correspondence published this morning. Mr Seddon, on September 13, wrote to Mr Chamberlain suggesting that some European and Native members should bo elected to the Executive of Fiji, also that a loan should bo authorised for roadmakiug and improving the beds of rivers for navigation, and water supply ; also that experiments bo mado in cotton - planting to find employment for tho Natives. Mr Chamberlain replied under date September 30 that tho newly-ap-pointed Governor of Fiji had already boon asked to report on tho quostion of giving moro effectivo representation in tho Executive Council, and that his attention would bo drawn to tho other points raised by Mr Seddon, whose suggestions would receive full consideration.

The days of loan money, when millions could bo readiiy obtained at a low rate of interest, are clearly numbered ; but we do cot altogether regret this, for, with dearer money, we shall spend our supplies much more carefully, and obtain better results from such expenditure. The real need of the colony is for its settlers to be a little more anxious to help themselves, and a little less solicitous for Government help. —Wairarapa Daily Times. A minister in Kansas town recently adopted a novel scheme for increasing the church collections, which bad beon diminishing. Ho informed his congregation, just before the plates were passed round,

that the members who were in debt were not expected to contribute. Tho collection on that day was double tho usual sum.

Most men are satisfied with a birthday once a year, but the Premier appears to get one of some sort or another about, once a week. As soon as one demonstration is worked off, another is laid on the stocks.

We regard the present as a special occasion ; but it has been preceded by so many other special occasions that a little of tho bloom which might have been attached to it has been discounted. The devotion of

the Liberals to their chief is sublime, and their manifestation of it is magnificent. Still, in tho long run, it all has to be paid for by tho colony, and tho charges are fairly high. The Premier is no worse than others who preceded him, excepting that he has a larger host of grateful clients, and the biil against tho colony is

necessarily bigger. He has now “hold the fort ” for ten years ; and, throughout the colony, he possesses thousands of friends. He has exalted the humble and meek, and he has filled the hungry with good things ; and, so far, he has don£ well. He has also taken from the people the freedom which they formerly enjoyed ; and has put over them a large army of inspectors and overseers. In this he has done badly, and who now can utter a saying which was very common before his time, “ This is a free country !”—Wairarapa Daily Times. King Solomon’s Mines, that fabulous place Heaped up with precious stone, Poor Avarice cannot even trace, Or claim it for her own ; There's something warning more

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