The Hawaiian gazette., 1874-06-03
Honolulu, May l4th, 1874.
Fijian Politics.

The following sketch Of the recent politica
changes was prepared by Mr. Darcy W. L
Murray, Hawaiian Consul OF Levuka, and ad
dressed TO His Excelleney W. L. Green, Hawaii
an Minister of Foreign Affairs. to whom we are
indebted for it, Mr.. Murray has resided in the
Fits during all the period referred TO BY him, and
is therefore fully competent to write on the sub
ject:
'Since my last communication was addressed to
your predecessor great aud important changes
have taken place here. You are probably aware
that it is now nearly three years since coustitu-
tonal monarchy was established; since the
Kings flag was hOisted and since Fijan Parlia-
ment first met TO conduct the affairs of this coun-
try In conformity with my instructions have
always las was indeed my pleasure and duty
given the government whatever little support and
influence l had at my disposal. 1 was elected
Member Of Parliament for the Metropolitan Dis
| trict OF Levuka. And 10 Parliament and outside.
| helped every administration that has been
| formed.
But from the outset, as any locker on could
not fail to observe, all the support that could be
supplied was insufficient to make popular with
the foreign residents government that was COM
menced under extraordinary difficulties. No
popular movement amongst the white residents
inaugurated it. 1t came from the Kings imme-
date advisers, supported By the chiefs alone.
Certainly the meu who formed the opposition in
the first and second sessions Of Parliament, we're
not capable Of oyerthrowing a Government that
had the most able men for its component that the
country could produce. Bot amongst the mem
bers Of the Assembly all white men, the exclu.
siveuess, If not autocracy, which Ministers main
tanned led to great dissatisfaction. The necessi-
ties Of many members inspired desire Tor Office.
And when the last session Of Parliament met
now eight months since, Ministers found them
selves in q decided minouty. They resigned
their seats. which resignation the King declined
to accept A dissolution Of the House followed.
Under the Consultation Of this country framed
in 1871 Parliament consisted Of two Houses.
The Lower House or assembly OF thirty white /
members, and the Upper House fifteen native /
chiefs The latter having no veto upon and sim I
ply sort OF supervision over the acts OF the form
er, and holding their seats for life; the former I
elective BY the various Constituencies Immediately
following the dissolution writs were issued for |
general election, and as by our Constitution, Minis
ters could only hold Offices, who had the confidence
OF the Assembly, several persons who had an eye
toward supplantng those siill in power, presented
for election.
A rigid Interpretation Of the Constitutional Act
developed the fact that IN the various eonstituen
ces natives had the power Of voting well as the
whites The whites having up TO this tisae exelu-
siyely exercised the suffrage. Ministers, who sin
possessed the confidence OF the King and natives
publicly proclaimed this And every preparation
made for receiving the votes Of the latter in the
election Of members for the coming Parliament
Now amongst the whites, arose tremendous
outery. They declared that the natives should not
TOte for the election Of white members. Public
meetings were held in every direction throughout
he country. and fixed determination expires sed 70
PREVENT what was termed an indignity 10 civilized
'eople-who certainly forgot that they were living
q country that belonged to the very people the