1864: Fiji joined Queensland, Samoa, and New Caledonia in the Pacific labor trade

Although many Fijian laborers were available, the supply was notalways steady, and the planters often found themselves short of labor. In addition, some plantation owners wanted laborers they could have more control over, with contracts longer than the twelve months the Fijians would accept. Other Pacific Islanders were already employed in Fiji in the early [...]

1864: Blackbirders arrive in Fiji

1864: Blackbirders arrived in Fiji and with them brought the first New Hebrides and Solomon Island labourers, to assist in the cotton plantations.