A history of the Fiji Times, 1869-1875

Masters Research - Master of Philosophy (MPhil)No complete history of Fiji has yet been written, although several studies on specific topics have been attempted. Until a history does appear, the files of the <i>Fiji Times</i> will serve as a continuous record of events in the more than one hundred years since it was first published in September 1869. If one accepts Asa Briggs' statement that: "Newspapers are among the most important sources of evidence for the modern historian", then it follows that a study of the <i>Fiji Times</i>, should provide valuable information because its files express contemporary views and reflect the attitudes of the time. This study will be concerned with the period from 1869 to 1875 - from the inception of the paper, until the future of Fiji became tied to that of Great Britain. The period represents a time of great political, economic and social significance to Fiji. On the political side, the settlers had to make a choice between seeking annexation, or attempting to rule themselves. This period was also one of extreme economic upheaval when the plants were finding that cotton was no longer a commercial proposition and were searching desperately for a substitute, eventually selecting sugar. At this time also, the relationship between the European settlers and the Fijians was entering a critical stage where the Fijians, although numerically far stronger, were being increasingly controlled by the European minority. This thesis will analyse the leading articles and correspondence columns of the <i>Fiji Times</i> to see how the settlers interpreted their actions in this political, economic and social context. Reference will be made to other newspapers and similar contemporary sources such as letters, diaries, pamphlets and published reminiscences. Although at one stage the Cakobau Government purchased a newspapers which presented the point of view of that Government, the emphasis in this study will be placed upon the <i>Fiji Times</i>, which was the only independent newspaper available to the settlers. The years prior to the cession of the islands to Great Britain have received close attention from two groups of historians. The first group, consisting of Ward, Morrell and Legge, have tended to concentrate on official documents for their source material. The second group, which comprises Derrick, Scarr, Routledge and Young, have used Fijian resources much more. Even so, a situation has been created where the opinions and attitudes of the ordinary settlers have virtually disappeared from view, in favour of those of the 'personalities' like Thurston, March, Goodenough and Laynard. All of the second group of historians have used the <i>Fiji Times</i> as an important source. Derrick and Routledge have tended to use the paper for information on specific events, while Young was more interested in using it to look at Fijian society. Only Scarr has commented upon some of the ideas expressed by the <i>Fiji Times</i>. It thus seemed desirable that a study of the paper should be made, where the reactions of the settlers to the problems of the time could be examined. Another important function of this thesis will be an assessment of the role of the <i>Fiji Times</i>, which caused a controversy among its contemporaries. Richard Philp, a barrister from Victoria who went to Fiji in 1872, hoping to be appointed Attorney-General, commented that the papers was "a little affair". Others saw it in grander terms, and A.B. Brewster, a resident in the islands for some forty years, said that: "The <i>Fiji Times</i> was our local thunderer and helped also in the maintenance of peace...it was always champion of the faithful commons of our little community against the arbitrary powers which were assumed by King Cakobau's ministers". These conflicting opinions have found reflection in modern studies. Legge has accepted, without question, the <i>Fiji Times</i> as a source of information, while Routledge has described the editorials as "blindly vituperative", and Scarr has roundly condemned the paper for being "the supreme exponent of the racist ethic". This thesis will attempt a re-assessment of the opinions and role of the <i>Fiji Times</i>. Of the problems encountered during the gathering of material for this study, several are sufficiently important to be mentioned here. Unfortunately, no records remain of the day-to-day operations of the <i>Fiji Times</i> as a business organisation, and this has meant that little technical information concerning the paper is available. The information given in Chapter 2 concerning editorials, printing, distribution and circulation has been extracted from the paper itself, either from direct statements or from implications. As with most newspaper studies, it has also proved difficult to determine the effectiveness of the paper's policies, since few people in diaries or reminiscences have referred to the paper. For example, G.H.W. Markham, a planter, kept a diary in which he referred to receiving copies of the paper, but he did not attempt at any time to comment on an editorial or article, or to express a reaction to the paper. Thus, assessments of the validity of the paper's policies have had to rely on the less direct method of comparing policies with events and attitudes. The thesis does not pretend to present an all-embracing review of the years 1869 to 1875. Rather, it intends to use the <i>Fiji Times</i> as a device for: looking at a key period of Fijian history in a new way; examining the settlers' reactions to some of the political, economic and social problems of the time; and finally, assessing the role and attitudes of the <i>Fiji Times