§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether there is any truth in the report of serious disturbances having recently taken place in the Fiji Islands?
§ MR. J. LOWTHERIt is true, Sir, that some disturbances have occurred in Fiji; but I am happy to say that the reports which have been circulated are considerably exaggerated, and that the disturbances do not deserve the adjective "serious" which my hon. Friend applies to them. It appears that raids were 1175 made upon some native villages by a section of the neighbouring mountain tribes. The Governor reports that the outbreaks were of a purely local character, that he had taken prompt steps to restore order, and that he had no apprehension respecting the peace of the colony.