THERE is one thing interesting about learning history and that is you get to learn new things.
In school all I learnt was that Fiji was ceded to Great Britain by Ratu Cakobau. Little did I know that a lot of things happened before Fiji officially became a British colony.
For some time I had always been curious as to why Ratu Cakobau had sided with the British. Was it because he was already a Wesleyan Christian and inspired by the movements of the British or whether he had a bad relationship with the Americans?
Rewa was a traditional rival and the people of Vutia, Rewa in 1860 looted the home of a John B William before burning down the copra shed in his property on Nukulau Island. And when the Americans demanded compensation, Cakobau intervened through the assistance of Britain.
However, one thing is for certain, Ratu Cakobau succeeded with his plan and was self-proclaimed Tui Viti or King of Fiji forming the first government after the British agreed to help Fiji.
It was also in these early days that a secret society was formed on Ovalau. It was known as the Ku Klux Klan.
According to the book History of Fiji by RA Derrick in 1867, the Cakobau government rolled out the first gazette which was announced by the king himself.
Under the 1867 constitution, an executive committee was appointed consisting of Sydney C Burt who was the premier and minister of finance, George Austin Woods minister for foreign affairs, Ratu Savenaca Naulivou minister for native affairs, Ratu Timoci Tavanavanua minister for war and police, John Temple Sagar minister for trade and commerce, James Cobhan Smith and Gustavus Hennings.
Under the Cakobau government, Tongan warlord Ma’afu was made lieutenant governor of Lau after pledging his allegiance to the Tui Viti. With it he was paid 1000 pounds and a clear title to three island — Moala, Matuku and Totoya.
According to Derrick a second gazette was published on June 10 which stated the “ministers think it is advisable that they should now offer some explanation of the causes that led to the appointment of executive by the king”.
“The gazette explained that no public gathering had been called because there had been already many such meetings and all had proved fruitless.
“They promised, however that until a House of Representative should be assembled, no matter except of urgent public … would be initiated.”
A notice was then given for all delegates from every district to meet in Levuka to discuss the constitution and make necessary amendments.
However, the gazette did not go down too well with a certain group of people.
While many had condoned the irregular manner in which the administration had been appointed, they were wondering how it would fulfil its promises.
Derrick wrote “within a month the executive was involved in trouble with the hill people of northern Viti Levu”.
1871 was a very important year because it laid the foundation of the constitution and the formation of the government from the first meeting of the House of Delegates on August 1 to the division of provinces to be ruled by governors, the selection of a Privy Council to the appointment of cabinet ministers.
The cabinet ministers would consist of five ministers and were to act as special advisers to the Legislative Assembly.
The judiciary also comprised a Supreme Court which consisted a Chief Justice and two associated Justices.
After much tension and debates the constitution was passed before the official cession of Fiji to Great Britain in 1874.
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK)
The KKK was founded during the civil war on December 24, 1865 in Tennessee, USA.
According to the gang enforcement website the KKK, with a long history of violence, is the most infamous and oldest of American hate groups.
“Although black Americans have typically been the Klan’s primary target, it also attacked Jews, immigrants, gays and lesbians and, until recently, Catholics,” it stated.
However, it is unclear whether there was a relationship between the Fiji KKK and that which was established in the US.
One cannot help but be amazed to hear that exactly seven years after the KKK was formed in the US, another society bearing the same name was established in Fiji.
There were tensions and altercations and on February 16, 1872 Derrick wrote: “The diehards met at Keyse’s Place, and resolved upon armed resistance.
“Forming themselves into a secret society, known as the Ku Klux Klan, they bound themselves by exotic oaths to obey their leader’s secrecy, to boycott the government and pay no taxes, and to carry arms and rally at appointed posts upon the signal of three shots from a carronade.
“Keyse’s Place was fortified and prepared for siege, and the government was left guessing at the strength and intention of the opposition. (Keyse’s Place was formerly a hotel and was situated at the north end of the town, being built on piles extending over the beach and water.)”
The Fiji Times on February 24, carried a report on the first general meeting of the society.
“Four resolutions were published: (i) asserting that the existing mode of government was contrary to the welfare of the community;
(ii) expressing lack of confidence in Burt and asking the king at Bau to dismiss him;
(iii) demanding the dissolution of the assembly and the holding of a new election;
(iv) appointing a deputation to wait upon the king at Bau, present the resolution and press for Burt’s dismissal.”
However, Cakobau did not give in to their demands and so KKK sought the support of the people.
About 120 men then joined and formed the British Subjects Mutual Protection Society (BSMPS) and Volunteer Corp. A Declaration of Freedom, that according to Derrick, denied the British together with the natives to set up a government adding it would be a violation of their rights if they had assisted.
“They pledged themselves to protect each other against any attempt of the so-called government to collect taxes or to restrain any one of us from the free exercise of our right pending the decision of the British government.”
Derrick wrote it was then clear now that the KKK was willing to resort to violence and by then government had taken counter measures. “It was rumoured in Levuka that government officers were secretly drilling Fijians.”
Tension grew when a RC Smith was alleged to have shot a Fijian chief and refused to surrender even though a warrant was out of his arrest. It was said he marched in to town and stayed at the Criterion hotel.
It was then reported that 30 citizens (British) and another 120 Fijian men then armed themselves and marched toward the KKK in the process disarming them, thus Smith was arrested.
Disturbed by this altercation, Ratu Cakobau on March 9 then wrote to the white residents and addressed them at Totogo square.
“We Fijians understand revenge and the law of the club. You white people said such things were cruel and savage. You wanted civilisation, and you brought us laws. Now there are divisions among you, and an appeal to force.
“If you resist the law and force us to settle matters in our old way, there will be a war of races. I appeal to you support law and order.”
On three occasions Cakobau’s government was faced with a crisis and threatened dissolution; and each time it was a British naval commander who saved it and restored its authority and this was what the KKK wanted.
The situation was now beginning to go out of control, John Thurston had replaced Sydney Burt as premier and there was a need to control the conflict, since there was also a move by the BSMPS for a take-over of power.
“Thurston realised that the de-facto status of government was the real issue and Captain Douglas, who had arrived in the HMS Cossack, was watching the events closely.
“Thurston then assembled the police and the civil servant, numbering in all nearly 200 men.”
There had been already some members of the KKK in gaol and this angered the society.
“Thurston ordered the captain of the constabulary to direct his men to load with ball cartridge to arrest any malcontent found under arms — or on resistance to shoot him, and to shoot down any attempt to break gaol.
Thurston’s men had closed in on the KKK who had retired to Keyse’s place and were about to fire when Douglas sent a message asking Thurston to hold until HJ Beatson their leader was identified. That move is said to have avoided bloodshed in Levuka.
On May 18, the BSMPS met and protested against the arming of Fijians against them. Capt Douglas replied if the British could respect the laws while residing in a foreign country then everyone should be able also.
“The KKK crestfallen and defeated, the BSMPS did not cease to oppose the government and from that day the name Ku Klux Klan was dropped and its members did not rise any more except believed to have worked secretly,” Derrick wrote.
“Capt Douglas visited the king in person and congratulating him upon establishment of his kingdom, assured him of British sympathy and interest.
“The Cakobau government had survived its first crisis,” he wrote of that chapter of our history.
