MR. CATHCART WASONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Governor of Fiji will inquire into the circumstances which led to the deportation of six high chiefs of Fiji, namely, Ratu Ambrose, Tin Suva, Ratu Savenca, Vere Balavu, Emori Turaga Vakacava, and Alwale; and will he state also upon what grounds the Administrator wrote that during his administration he had not found it necessary to deport any high chiefs.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI have already received full reports on the circumstances which led to the deportation of the chiefs to whom the hon. Member refers. They were deported on the grounds that they were active in hampering the work of the local native officials, advising the natives to cases paying taxes and spreading disaffection. I am informed by Sir H. Jackson that these six men are petty chiefs, not to be compared with the chiefs of the leading Provinces.
MR. CATHCART WASONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Government of Fiji will inquire into the reasons for the imprisonment of Fijian natives other than for haying signed a respectful petition to His Majesty praying for redress of their wrongs.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINIf the hon. Member will specify any case in which Fijian natives have been imprisoned on the teal or ostensible ground that they signed a petition to His Majesty, I will inquire into them.
MR. CATHCART WASONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Governor of Fiji will inquire into the flogging of a native named Josephata, and if he will state upon what grounds the Administrator suspended the medical officer who reported the circumstance; and, seeing that it is strictly laid down that no native shall be flogged except in the presence of a Government medical officer, what circumstances have been reported to justify an exception in the case of the said Josephata.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe Commissioner of Lomaiviti and the Chiefs forming the Court were censured by the Administrator for the irregularity of the proceedings in this case. Dr. Hallen, the medical officer, to whom the hon. Member refers, was suspended upon grounds entirely unconnected with the flogging of Josephata—viz., for being absent from ditty without have, and for engaging in business contrary to the express instructions of the Government.