Colony of Fiji

Colony of Fiji
iTikotiko vakaitikotiko e Viti (Fijian)
फिजी की कॉलोनी (Fiji Hindi)
1874–1970
Motto: Rerevaka na Kalou ka Doka na Tui
Fear God and honour the Queen
Anthem: God Save the King/Queen
StatusBritish colony
CapitalLevuka
(1874–1877)
Suva
(1877–1970)
Common languagesEnglish, iTaukei (Fijian), Fiji Hindi, Rotuman
GovernmentConstitutional monarchy
Monarch 
• 1874–1901
Victoria
• 1901–1910
Edward VII
• 1910–1936
George V
• 1936
Edward VIII
• 1936–1952
George VI
• 1952–1970
Elizabeth II
Governor 
• 1874–1875
Sir Hercules Robinson
• 1968–1970
Sir Robert Sidney Foster
Chief Minister 
• 1967–1970
Sir Kamisese Mara
LegislatureLegislative Council
History 
• Established
10 October 1874
• Independence
10 October 1970
CurrencyFijian pound
(1874–1969)
Fijian dollar
(1969–1970)
ISO 3166 codeFJ
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Kingdom of Fiji
Dominion of Fiji
Today part ofFiji

The Colony of Fiji was a Crown colony that existed from 1874 to 1970 in the territory of the present-day nation of Fiji. London declined its first opportunity to annex the Kingdom of Fiji in 1852. Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau had offered to cede the islands, subject to being allowed to retain his Tui Viti (King of Fiji) title. His demand was unacceptable to both the British and to many of his fellow chiefs, who regarded him only as first among equals, if that. Mounting debts and threats from the United States Navy had led Cakobau to establish a constitutional monarchy with a government dominated by European settlers in 1871, following an agreement with the Australian Polynesia Company to pay his debts. The collapse of the new regime drove him to make another offer of cession in 1872, which the British accepted. On 10 October 1874, Britain began its rule of Fiji, which lasted until 10 October 1970.[1][2][3][4]

  1. ^ Sarah Searight, "The British Acquisition of Fiji" History Today (Nov 1972), pp 806–813, online
  2. ^ William D. McIntyre, "Disraeli's colonial policy: The creation of the Western Pacific High Commission, 1874–1877." Historical Studies: Australia and New Zealand 9#35 (1960): 279–294.
  3. ^ Owen Parnaby, "Aspects of British policy in the Pacific: The 1872 pacific islanders protection act, " Historical Studies: Australia and New Zealand 8#29 (1957) pp 54-65 https://doi.org/10.1080/10314615708595097
  4. ^ Paul Knaplund, "Sir Arthur Gordon and Fiji: Some Gordon-Gladstone Letters." Historical Studies: Australia and New Zealand 8#31 (1958) pp 281–296.