Our Fijian Newsletter

Rapid Growth Of Indian Population

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, July 26.

THE population of Fiji is curiously divided. There are over 4,000 Euro peans. The native population numbers 90,000—and the natives, of course, are largely the landowners. The Indians, brought in originally to work the sugar plantations, are now 65,000. They are largely engaged in agriculture, and are rapidly overhauling the native popula tion. And there are 1,000 Chinese.

The Indians are now a power to be reckoned with in the Colony’s economy.

They have in many cases become wealthy, and all the motor cars (some 700), are driven, and mostly owned, by Indians.

The Chinese have mostly driven the Indian storekeepers out of business in the country districts, and are slowly but surely capturing the small trade of the colony.

With the dissolution of Brodziak Ltd. there are now only two European main trading concerns in Fiji—Burns Philp (South Sea) Co. Ltd., and Morris Hed strom Ltd., who have branches in the chief country towns. Besides them,

there Is Brown and Joske Ltd., a big trading firm in Suva, and agents for the Fiji Coconut Planters’ Union, which comprise the leading planters of the colony, and others of less importance.

The climate is perfect, although rather humid or muggy in the summer months, but the glass seldom goes over 90, and the winter is perfection. There is no malaria, and Europeans live to a great age. A favourite example given is that a gentleman who a few years ago, personally canvassed the whole municipality for votes, when he con tested an election, and he was 96 years old.

The Big Carnival

During the past fortnight all foot steps led to the Suva Bowling Green, where the sixth annual bowling carni val was taking place. This event is the big social function of the year, and right along its course there is a trail of balls, picnics, motor drives, and all sorts of social functions. The function was quite up to the best traditions, and the only regret was that Australia, which has taken so successful a part in these contests in the past, was able only to make up one team for the big event (The South Pacific Pennant), While in the past, N.S.W., Victoria, and South Australia have each had a sepa rate team of two rinks. This year, for the first time, New Zealand, which was heavily represented, won everything, including the Open Rinks, the Cham pion Pairs, the Champion Singles, and the Pacific Pennant.

Personal

It is seldom the lot of a police officer to have greatness thrust upon him, yet that was the fats of Sub-Inspector Holland, hon. A.D.C. to the Governor, when H.M.S. Dunedin was in port.

His Excellency, the Acting-Governor, was indisposed, so he sent his Aide to represent him on the official call.

On leaving, the Sub-Inspector was honoured with the salute of guns usually accorded to Governors.

Hon. Henry Marks, C.B.E., the Mayor of Suva, accompanied by Mrs. Marks, arrived by the Remuera from London, after spending six months in travel through Australia and the Old Coun try.

This afternoon, at Holy Trinity pro- Cathedral, by the Venerable Arch deacon Hands, Sub-Inspector W.

Flower, elder son of Major and Mrs.

Stanley Flower, of Spencers Green Tring, Herts, England, was married to Miss Dorothy Drage, elder daughter of Lieut.-Colonel and Mrs. Drage, of “Tarciau,” Criccuth, North Wales. The bride, who had recently arrived with her mother and sister from England, entered the church on the arm of His Honour the Chief Justice, who gave her away. Mr. Pakenham-Walsh, Acting D.C., was best man. A reception was

held at the residence of the Chief Justice (Captain Anderson, K.C., R.N.) Sir Henry Scott, K.C., who has been laid up for some time, suffering from blood-poisoning, has resumed business activities.

His Excellency, the Acting-Governor, Mr. Islay McOwan, C.M.G., who has been ill with throat trouble, is once more back on duty.

On the motion of Sir Henry Scott, K.C., Mr. William Lambert Davidson has been admitted to the Fiji Bar. He has practised in New Zealand. It is understood that Mr. Davidson will practice at Labasa, the big sugar centre.

Religious Differences

For forty years or more during their life in Fiji, the Indians have left their religious differences (which are the cause of so much trouble in India) at home, and the Colony has been free of religious strife. But the spirit of dis cord which is penetrating into all corn ers of the world has at last reached us, and there are reports of trouble among Indian canegrowers on the Rewa River.

Hindus will not work under a Ma hommedan, or vice versa and, mean time, business stands still.

Still, the thing that makes an Indian “sit up and take notice” is his pocket, and as some £6,000 worth of cane is in jeopardy, it is believed that the need to save the cane-money will dominate all other considerations—at least, for the time being.

A Government With A

Surplus!

While financial troubles are being re ported from all over the world, it is re freshing to hear of a country that is living within its income, and whose Budget shows a credit balance. Such is the happy position of Fiji, whose Treasurer has shown a credit for the past four years, and converted a former debit balance of £200,000 into a credit of over £150,000. On top of this, so good is the credit of the Colony, that the Government is committed to a loan expenditure policy running into nearly half a million.

The first big job will be the extension of the main round-the-Island road, so that when the connecting links are finished, a tourist will be able to travel by car, over 150 miles of excellent road, amid the most lovely scenery, combin ing coastal and reef beauties, with the grandeur of mountain peaks and deep verdant valleys, full of flowering bush and majestic timber.

Other public works will follow, and much progress can be looked for in Fiji during the next three years.

Naval Courtesies!

The visit of H.M.S. Dunedin was the occasion of a good deal of soreness among Suva citizens. It appears that the Deputy-Mayor, in the absence of the Mayor, who was abroad, attended by the town clerk, called upon the Commodore on the arrival of the ship.

At the same time, the Acting-Colonial Secretary also made a formal call. To neither of these public officials did Commodore Blake see fit to accord a return call. Neither were they in vited to any function on board the warship during her week’s stay.

The injury was aggravated by a be lated call from the Commodore’s sec retary, prior to leaving, to say that the Commodore did not know of the visit— although both visitors were duly per sonally introduced, and chatted with the naval gentleman. Further, the Colonial Secretary arranged a big pic nic to the men of the ship, and the event proved a great success.

Hurricane’S Silver Lining

The Rev. R. L. McDonald, chairman of the Fiji Methodist Mission, has just completed 1,100 miles by water in four weeks, in the small schooner John Wesley, visiting the Yasawas and the Lau groups.

In the latter, at the island of One ata, a special dedication and centenary service was held to commemorate the centenary of the landing of the three Tahitian native missionaries, who pre pared the way for Rev. Mr. Cross and the Rev. Mr. Cargill, five years later.

Generally, Mr. McDonald found that the late hurricane had had a beneficial effect by improving the land. At the Yasawas, the land was salted by the flying spray, which swept over the highest hills; and on the Rewa it was improved by layers of silt, which man ured the land.

The mission is taking steps to im prove the general elementary educa tion of the natives by grouping the vil lage schools into district schools, with a higher standard of teaching.

Although on the island of Oneata, the natives would not be able to earn their tax money, owing to a drought, the outlying native population gener ally was in quite a happy and pros perous condition.