The king’s invitation
Continued from last week
We continue the third part series from last Saturday of the recorded conversation between the chiefs of Fiji, and the Commodore James Goodenough and the Consul Edgar Layard on the offer of the cession of the Fiji Islands to the British Crown. The Fiji Times had published this historic meet on Wednesday, March 11, 1874. Present at the meeting was the Tui Lau, Enele Ma’afu, and George Austin Woods who was a British navy officer who served as premier of the Kingdom of Viti between May 1872 and 1874. The ‘king’ described in this conversation is Ratu Seru Cakobau.
Meeting of the chiefs of Fiji and the commodore and consul, at Bau, March 5th, 1874
Ratu Abel asked if England would pay the debt of Fiji if the country were transferred to Great Britain?
Commodore: England would expect Fiji to pay her own debt, but with a colonial government so much more money and foreigners would come into the country that the interest of the debt would be easily paid by revenue alone, and that it would not fall heavily on persons individually, but on the whole community.
Ma’afu asked if under the present Government there was a war among the islands, what part would be taken by the Government?
The commodore said he should not interfere except to forbid all white men who were English subjects to take part with the military of either side; and that he should not allow native quarrels to interfere with British interests.
Mr Swanston addressed the chiefs, and told them that if they wished for a good government, he should advise them to give Fiji over to Great Britain, for they could not govern themselves. There would have been collisions at Nasova had it not been for the British manof-war
Ma’afu said he was in favor of annexation. He advised them to cede Fiji.
Tui Cakau said to Ma’afu, “How is it you have changed your mind so soon? At Nasova last year you told us not to let Great Britain annex Fiji.”
Ma’afu replied, “I have changed my opinion”.
Tui Cakau said, the lands belong to us chiefs. If the king says, “Give up Fiji,” we will; if he says “We will govern Fiji ourselves,” we will not give it up.
The commodore said they had better come together, and tell the king their minds, and he would come tomorrow at 9am to hear from the king, their answer and his own.
The commodore and consul then left the meeting.
Meeting of the commodore with the king and chiefs of Fiji at Bau, March 6th, 1873.
Commodore: Yesterday after talking to the chiefs we desired them to consult together, to come to a decision, and that we would come again today to hear what answer the king would make in his or their name. However, they may still ask further delay, if they require further consultation, as it is a very serious matter to decide upon, and though I am going to Kadavu, they could ask any further questions of the Consul, who would stay here in Bau for a day or two, and give their decisions to him.
King: Both he and the chiefs had made up their minds. They had heard all the commodore and consul had told them, and they thanked them for all they have said. Great Britain is a strong country and does not want to make conquest or additions of land in far off countries. Foreign nations know that Fiji is weak. He knew the queen wished that the people of Fiji should prosper, and that she would take it by force, nor see other nation do so. He desires to endeavour to carry on the government himself, and Fiji and its people to be ruled by the chiefs. He thinks they will be able to do this, and if they receive the support of other nations all will be well.
The king than handed a written withdrawal of the offer of annexation to his interpreter which was read and given to the commission.
Commodore: As the consul and I said in our letter to the king and chiefs, if the king and chiefs wish to keep the government of the country in their own hands it is well, and England would only require this — that they should govern wisely and rightly, with equal justice to both whites and natives. Now I have to speak of the way in which the government should be carried on in future. The government which now exists was brought about by white men resident in Fiji. It was for white men, laws were made; for white men, that a loan was made, and the debt contracted; and as white men pay most of the taxes, they will want to know how their taxes are spent. It is therefore right that the whites for the future should be taken into council, and consulted in the formation of the government. In making arrangements for the future government of these islands, both, myself and Mr Layard will be very glad to assist the King and chiefs, and I feel sure the other Consuls will do so too. But there are certain things which the King and chiefs must be prepared to do :- First of all, the New Constitution of October last, cannot be allowed to be issued in the state in which it now stands. Such a constitution as that would bring about quarrels between the chiefs and the people of Fiji and the whites and I am sure that the King and chiefs wish to avoid all quarrels as much as I do. Secondly, Before anything is done I strongly advise and request the King to reform his cabinet.
Mr Woods interrupted, saying that the resignation of the ministers was now in the hands of the King.
Commodore: The King and chiefs know that they did not want white ministers to help to govern natives, and that it was to govern whites that they found it well that they should have white ministers to assist them in their government, and therefore it is necessary that these white ministers should enjoy the confidence of the white residence. When the king reforms his Cabinet, I should advise and strongly counsel him to ask the advice of the British consul, and other consuls. The king will then have the support, in his government of the Foreign Consul. It is necessary above all things that the expenses of the Government should be reduced very much indeed. At this moment — in January and February this year, the expenses of the Government had been 500 pounds each month in excess of the revenue. They are too great. There are too many white men in the employment of the Government, and the number of the white men who are in the military force, and the military force of the natives should be reduced. The present machinery of government is too great. It is like a small canoe with an immense sail. Do the king and chiefs know that they have signed a resolution to take over all the debt upon themselves?
The King: We have talked of that, and did not ask you to pay for it. It was to be settled between the natives and the whites.
The king than thanked the commodore and the Consul and the meeting closed.