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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 76

From the Fiji Times, June 16, 1900

From the Fiji Times, June 16, 1900.

The recent visit of the Premier of New Zealand has apparently revived the long dormant desires in the hearts of the colonists for some amendment of the constitution of this colony. Unless the existing circumstances page 9 and conditions of every British colony are such that the granting of constitutional political rights and representation is impossible, or inconsistent with good government then these rights and representation should be conceded. Unfortunately the possession of absolute and autocratic power has such a fascination for its possessor that he can rarely be persuaded to voluntarily divest himself of any portion of such power, or to assist those he rules to obtain what is undeniably their birthright as citizens of the Empire. One illustrious exception to this principle was the late Sir George Grey, at one time Governor of Cape Colony, and more recently of New Zealand. During his administration of the government of these colonies he exerted his influence and power to procure for them representative institutions, though by doing so he was divesting himself of a large portion of his own powers. In these endeavours he succeeded, and the result of his unselfish and honorable conduct was that no ex-governor of a British colony, whether in his life or at his death, was more highly esteemed whether by his Queen or his fellow-colonists.

Fiji has not experienced an administrator of the type of Sir George Grey; on the contrary the experience of the past governors of this colony have been the reverse, and they have clung most tenaciously to and exercised most arbitrarily their dictatorial powers. During our present Governor's regime no appeal has been made through his instrumentality for any concession of political rights to the colonists, so it is impossible to say what his attitude would be were such an application made. All we know is he has not of his own motion moved in the direction of voluntarily aiding the colonists in obtaining their rights or of divesting himself of any of his own powers. On the contrary, his Excellency has wielded his autocratic powers as arbitrarily as, or more so, than any of his predecessors in office. The only course, therefore, open is for the colonists to petition Her Majesty in the orthodox constitutional mode for a redress of their grievances, and an intendment of the constitution in such measure as would be reasonable and just. The amendment of the constitution of the colony that at once suggests itself is that a fair proportion of the unofficial members of the Legislative Council should be elected by such persons as should be constituted elector's with the right of exercising the franchise for this specific object. The only question to be considered in replying to such a petition would be whether the conditions and circumstances page 10 of the colony present any obstacle to the concession of such a right of election. The old and stereotyped objection of past governors has been that consideration of the interests of the native races preventing the granting of any constitutional privileges or rights to the colonists of Fiji. Such an excuse is a mendacious evasion of the requests of the colonists for a grant of their rights, and there is no justification for the assertion or the suggestion that the welfare of the native races would be in any degree prejudiced or even affected by a concession such as is asked. The native race question is unquestionably one of paramount importance, but it does not follow that the consideration of the interests of the native races will be jeopardised by a just consideration of the interests and rights of the European colonists. Both interests can receive independent consideration, and without either conflicting with the other.

The present is an opportune juncture for the performance of gracious acts, and we hope his Excellency, unasked, will represent to Her Majesty, through the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the justice of granting to this colony some quota of its political rights, in the form of electing to the Legislative Council a fair proportion of its members.