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 440 THE BRITISH EMPIRE : — FIJI

approved by the League of Nations, is dated December 17, 1920. The military training of the natives, except for local police or defence purposes, is prohibited, and no naval or military base or any fortifications may be established. Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand have agreed that Australia shall appoint the first Administrator for a term of five years, and the expenses of administration are to be defrayed out of the proceeds of the sale of phosphates. The island is valuable for its deposits of phosphates. Administrator.— Brigadier-General T. Griffiths, C.M.G., C.B.E., D.S.O.

FIJI. Constitution and Government.

Fiji was ceded by the chiefs and people of Fiji on October 10, 1874. The government is administered by a Governor appointed by the Crown, assisted by an Executive Council consisting of the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney- General, other official members appointed by the Governor, and two nomi- nated members selected by the Governor from the elected members of the Legislative Council. Laws are passed by the Legislative Council, of which the Governor is president. It comprises twelve nominated members, seveu elected members, and two native members.

Governor of Fiji and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific. — Sir Cecil Hunter Rodwell, K.C.M.G. (appointed, 1918). Salary 3,000/. as Governor of Fiji, and 1,0002. as High Commissioner for the Western Pacific.

The Governor is High Commissioner and Consul-General for the Western Pacific.

There is a constabulary consisting of Fijians and Indians, and a Defence Force (Europeans, half-castes, and Fijians).

For the purposes of native government the colony is divided into 17 provinces, in 6 of which a superior native chief exercises, under the title of Roko Tui, a form of rule which recognises to a large degree the principles of native administration by which the people formerly governed themselves. In seven of the provinces there are European commissioners. About 180 native officials are employed in subordinate administrative capacities. There are also 30 native stipendiary magistrates associated with 19 District Commissioners in the administration of justice. A European commissioner, who is also Government medical officer, resides in Rotuma.

Area and Population.

Fiji comprises a group of about 250 islands (about 80 inhabited) lying between 15° and 20° south latitudes and 177* east and 178° west longitude. The largest is Viti Levu, area 4,053 squara miles ; next is Vauua Levn, area 2,130 square miles. The island of Rotuma, between 12° and 15" of south latitude, and 175° and 177* east longitude, was added to the colony in 1880 Total area, including Rotuma, 7,083 square miles.

At the census of April 2, 1911, the population was 139,541 ; the Europeans, 3,707 (2,403 males, 1,304 females) ; Fijians, 87,096 (46,110 males, 40,986 females); Rotumans, 2,176 (1,043 males, 1,133 females); Indians, 40,286 (26,073 males, 14,213 females); Polynesians, 2,758 (2,429 males, 329 females) ; Chinese, 305 (276 males, 29 females); others, 3,213 (1,674 males, 1,539 females). On Decomber 31, 1919, the estimated population was 163,847, including 87,493 Fijians and 62,640 Indians.

Among Europeans the births in 1919 were 77 and deaths 67 ; among Fijians, births 2,479, deaths 3,097; among Indians, births 1,806, deaths 1,016.