ROUND THE ISLANDS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2635, 18 October 1909, Page 2

ROUND THE ISLANDS

THE COOLIE QUESTION IN FIJI. Among tlie Tofua’s passengers to Auckland, from tlie Islands last week was the Rev. Dr. W. Morley, general seoretai-y to the Australasian Methodist Ministers’ Annuitant Fund, who, with Mrs. Morley, has been on a recuperating trip through some of the South Sea”lsland groups, and is now spending a few day in Auckland, the scene of his earlier pastorate in the church, prior to continuing his trip through the Dominion and back to Melbourne, his headquarters. An Auckland ‘‘Star” representative caked upon the doctor, and gathered some interesting views and news concerning those islands of the blest for tired people. FERTILITY. SUGAR, AND COOLIES Among the first things which struck Dr. Morley* upon landing at Fiji was the fertility of the soil and the general appearance of prosperity pervading the people. At Latoka he had an opportunity of inspecting the Colonial Sugar Refining Company's sugar mils,' some idea of the capacity of which can be gathered when it is stated that m 0110° week no less than 6600 tons of cane were crushed, yielding an output of over 800 tons of sugar. “As this mill is only one of four or five belonging t 0 the same company, it will be seen on what a scale their operations are conducted,” remarked our visitor, adding, “The company itself has thousands .of acres under cane, while it purchases a considerable quantity also from planters. The machinery in the mills is of the mast up-to-date and labor-saving character, everything bein o- turned to the biggest advantage. Besides the C. S. R. mills, there are a number of private mills, which put through a fair quantity of cane.” Speaking of the coolie labor, which is chiefly employed on the sugar _estaotes. the doctor remarked that without doubt the immigration of Indians was one of the greatest and gravest problems that the people of Fiji had ahead of them. At the present time the total number of Indians in the group was in the vicinity of 32.000. These people go there under indenture for five years, and have the right to return to India after' ten years. But few of them avail themselves of the privilege, while the greater part of those that do so return to Fiji and settle on the land. They are spreading over the whole colony. Dr. Morley went over 40 miles up the Rewa river, and far beyond that ho found Indians settled on the land, growing cane and bananas. “As there are about 2000 fresh Indian immigrants arriving every year, while the Fijian native population is stationary, if not absolutely decreasing, it looks as if Fiji were" destined to become an Indian colony.” commented the doctor. THE COMMERCE OF FIJI.

On the subject of the growing importance of trade with Fiji, Dr. Morley had a few remarks to make. The banana trade is, of course, a large and growing export item, and our visitor was struck while in Fiji with the operations, of the Fiji Banana Syndicate, which' is now shipping enormous quantities of the fruit to Sydney and Auckland, and also by the recently-estab-lished service to Melbourne. In addition to this output there are considerable and quickly increasing herds of cattle: in short. Dr. Morley wss impressed with the notion that in the not very distant future cattle and hides will become a staple export from the colony. The roads and bridges question is one that exercises the wit of the Fijian Government as it does that of the Dominion authorities, but good work is being done, while in other respects the welfare of the people is being closely and intelligently watched. Dr Morley learned while there that a Commission had been appointed to report upon native education, and the decisions arrived at as to the education both of natives and Europeans will be awaited with considerable interest. HAPPY TONGA.

After visiting Apia, where he gathered the impression that the Germans were ruling with a firm hand, but were said to be treating the -natives well, Dr. Morley spent a brief while at the Friendly Islands of Vavua, Hapaai, and Tonga. “From inquiries in Tonga I. found that the small native kingdom is in a flourishing condition financially. The yearly .revenue is now over £30,000, chiefly produced by a poll-tax on adult males, for since the British Consul took practical charge of the finances of the kingdom there has been a big improvement. At present, where formerly there was a large yearly deficit, there is a credit balance of about £IO,OOO. I had a chat with the native premier of Tonga, and found him' a most intelligent man, and greatly concerned for, the welfare of his people. Some 27 years ago he was in Auckland, and used to attend my ministry in the Pitt Street Church, and he recalled this circumstance to me when lie met me. The Tongan population is said to be about stationary, but the people are prosperous, and the export of copra is increasing. I could not help feeling that the trade of all these groups of islands should be a greater concern to the Auckland merchants. At the present time the bulk of tho trade seems to he done with Sydney,” was the doctor’s summing up of tho position. MISSION WORK IN THE ISLANDS.

Questioned about the mission work in tlie islands, Dr. Moriey said that ho had the opportunity of seeing several of the Methodist Fijian mission stations. and also the three stations of the missionaries who work amongst the Indians there, and he found all in good heart, attacking resolutely the work which is before them, while the ohuifches generally were exceedingly prosperous. In Samoa, the London and Methodist missionaries work side by side, and from both he learned that in every respect the churches were prosperous. “In Tonga, as is well •known,” said the doctor, “there is_a Methodist Church now under the chairmanship of the Rev. R. C. Page, a young minister from New South Wales, who is getting a good knowledge of the language, and is proving himself a man of capable administration. The

Free Church of Tonga, under the presidency of the Rev. J. B. Watlcin, is also flourishing, about three-quarters of the population belonging to that church, and one-fourth to the Methodist Church.” Dr. Morley has a word of praise for the comfort and attention to be found on the Tofua, and spoke, in high terms of the courtesy of Captain Ho.ford and his officers in assisting to heighten the attractions of tho run, which on this occasion was made in the good time of days from Tonga.