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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 76

From the Fiji Times, June 20, 1900

From the Fiji Times, June 20, 1900.

Federation with New Zealand at the present is the current topic, and one which naturally appeals to all classes of a community which for so many years has been under a Crown Colony Government of a severe type. It is not an entirely new idea, for as far back as 1885 a petition was presented to the Government of New Zealand, asking that colony to federate with Fiji. At that time, however, for some reasons which were then advanced, but which do not now exist, the meeting proved abortive. A highly representative meeting has been held in Levuka, and an unanimous resolution was passed to the effect that in the opinion of that meeting it was desirous that steps be taken to secure federation with New page 11 Zealand. In our last issue we published a lengthy letter from Mr. Humphrey Berkeley pointing out the various reasons why the two colonies should federate. That letter requires a considerable amount of combatting from those who may be found to advocate a continuance of the present form of government. The benefits to be derived by exporters of local products are so manifest, that it is hardly likely that federation will be attacked on that score; nor is it easy to see what other objections can be raised. It is an accepted principle of political economy that the exports of a country are to be most carefully fostered. If only the exports are sufficiently large, the imports may, with safety, be left to take care of themselves. The great difficulty now experienced in this colony is the inability to make its wants known.

It is useless to appeal to the Governor, for his actions are bound by certain hard and fast rules laid down by the Home authorities; the consequence is that in the majority of cases colonists, recognising the futility of making representations which will receive no consideration, are content to allow matters to be shelved. A very different state of affairs would obtain if we had representative government, and were able to select our representatives, who, without fear, would see that the legitimate wants of the colony were attended to.

The question broadly stated is simply: Are we, when we have a chance of being represented in Federation, which will entitle one and all of us to have some say in the manner in which we are to be governed still to adhere to the despotic system of Crown Colony Government, a government which would find some difficulty in proving the benefits conferred by it on Fiji from its inception. Much will probably be said for and against Mr. Berkeley's letter, but it certainly seems that the best thing to be done is for one and all to strenuously endeavour to obtain Federation.