But Abandon Non-Cooperation.

Fiji Indians Seek Common Roll

There have been interesting developments in Fiji in connection with Indian representation and the demand for the Common Roll.

WHEREVER a Hindu (or Indian) population has established itself in the British Empire, outside of India, there is a demand for communal equality with Europeans, and consequent politi cal unrest. This particularly has been the case in South and East Africa.

In Fiji, where an Indian community of 75,000 has been established, the demand takes the form of an agitation for “the common roll.” It has been going on for many years.

The Legislative Council there consists of 13 nominated, six elected European, three elected Fijian and three elected Indian members. There are separate rolls for European and Indian electors.

The Indians consider this a sign of in equality, and agitate constantly for re form.

There are many well-meaning people, both in and out of Britain, who try to advance the theory that these coloured races of the far-flung British Empire may be taught and allowed to govern themselves. But the majority of people, no matter how ardently they may be lieve in nationalism, know in their own hearts that the happiest, most progres sive and best protected coloured com munities are those which are governed by Europeans, while allowed to have an influential but not a dominating voice in the administration.

The Fiji system has worked excel lently, and the British Colonial Office would be extremely ill-advised to tinker with its constitution. If there is to be any reform, it should be in the direction of giving the elected section of the Leg islative Council a little more power.

When the newly-elected Fiji Legisla tive Council met in October, the Indian demand for the common roll was again advanced, in a series of questions, and in a resolution, moved by the Indian member for the Southern Division and seconded by the member for the North ern Division.

It should be explained, perhaps, that the Indians’ practice in the past has been to elect three members (one for Southern, one for Eastern and one for North and West). These men usually attended the first meeting, moved for the common roll, were defeated, and promptly retired, following the Gandhi policy of non-cooperation for the re mainder of the term. In last election the Southern and North-west Divisions (776 and 669 electors respectively) re turned non-cooperators. The Eastern Division (140 electors) did not nominate anyone. It was expected that the non cooperation policy would again be fol lowed.

The submission of the usual motion in mid-October was responsible for two notable developments—a very effective speech by the Governor (Sir Murchison Fletcher) and a decision by the two noncooperators not to retire, but to remain in the Council —and cooperate.

Governor’S Speech.

His Excellency, addressing the Indians, spoke in a frank, friendly way. He pro mised them that he would do every thing within reason to remove legitimate grievances. For instance, he undertook to include Indians in the official lists of

jurors and assessors, and to cancel the old regulations relating to the curfew.

In regard to the common roll, the Gov ernor said: “The Fijian and the European are subject to inequalities also. The Fijian, for example, is under the Native Regu lations. What would the Indians say if they were required communally to build houses, to turn out on the roads, to do this, that, and the other task which is assigned to the Fijians. Again, the Euro peans. I have referred to an inequality in the marriage law.

“There are other inequalities. The In dian at will can get married under the European marriage law, but the Euro pean cannot get married under the In dian marriage law—an inequality. The Indian can get divorce on terms much more easy than those allowed to the European—again an inequality. The In dian may entice away a European’s wife and go scot free. If a European entices away an Indian’s wife, he is liable to six months’ imprisonment—another in equality.

“The Indian gets practically free educa tion. The European and the Fijian pay half the cost—again inequality. The In dian gets free medical attendance. The European, and the Fijian to date, have to pay—again inequality. In this matter of inequality I am satisfied that on the balance the Indian community in this Colony come out at least even, and I am sure that the Government does both in the letter and in the spirit honestly give effect to the various declarations which have been made from time to time by His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom.

“I have now cleared the ground for examination of this question of the com mon roll. The latest pronouncement on the subject is in the report of the Com mittee of both Houses of Parliament which considered the question or closer union in East Africa, published in Oc tober last year. They said:

“The Committee have carefully considered the arguments for and against the common roll While not denying that strong arguments have been brought forward on both sides, they feel that it would be impracticable under present conditions to advocate the adoption of the system of common roll representation in preference to the existing system of election. Thev would be allowed to militate against the adoption of were made in the constitution, the desirability of introducing the common roll should be re

examined without prejudice; and the decision of the Committee as recorded aoove should not be allowed to militate against the adoption of the common roll should it later be deemed desirable.

“A complete statement to which I could not have the temerity to add any thing.

“What the Indian wants and must have is leaders. Not the politicians who come to sow dissension and hatred, but leaders, men of understanding, men of sympathy who know their people’s needs, men who will co-operate with the Gov ernment and the rest of the community in this common cause which we all set before us. I am doing what I can in every direction to seek out leaders. I know that they are there. I have ap pointed from time to time men to Road Boards and to other positions of respon sibility; I have formed Advisory Com mittees; I proposed to choose honour able men of standing for appointment as Justices of the Peace, not so much for the technical duties, but in order that they may become leaders of men. The men who should lead the van are the men whom the people send to represent them in the Government’s Councils.

“The two Elected Members have to day an opportunity which they must grasp at once, because it will not recur.

If they will come to me with candour, sincerity and goodwill, undertaking hon estly to lead their people forward, I pro mise them my strong support.”

As a result of this appeal, the Indians withdrew their motion.

“Well Done!”

The following appeared in the Indian newspaper “Vriddhi,” published in Suva, on October 24: “The Indian Elected Members of Leg islative Council have hearkened to the voice of reason speaking through the

lips of His Excellency the Governor.

They have made their due protest against the communal franchise, and though nominated by the obstructionist party, are remaining in Legislative Council to cooperate with the other members in fur thering the future welfare of the Colony.

Well done!

“It is rumoured that attempts are be ing made to induce them to alter their decision; we trust that these will prove abortive. The Common Roll is not the only issue on the political horizon. We maintain as firmly as ever that it is our aim; but we are convinced that the giving of due attention to other matters will prove the shortest way to its attain ment. There may still be clouds in the political sky, but the sun of a new day has definitely risen: the darkness of night has passed away.”

Personnel of New Council.

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Oct. 30.

The elections for European unofficial members and Indian official members were held in August. The members were elected for three years.

All the European members were re turned unopposed, which may be read either as an expression of the unbounded confidence of the intelligent electors in their representative or else, mere apathy.

For the Suva Electorate, two members were returned, Sir Henry Scott and Mr.

Alport Barker. This electorate contains 750 electors. Sir Henry, who is leader of the Bar in Fiji, was one of the original members of the first elected European Councillors, and has been a member since 1908. Mr. Alport Barker, the Edi tor of the ‘Fiji Times and Herald,” has been a member since 1929.

For the Eastern Division, there are 127 electors, most of them in the old town of Levuka. This is practically a pocket borough for Sir Maynard Hed strom, and opposition to his return is al most beyond the memory of man! His nomination paper was signed this year, for the ninth time, by the same two electors and this must almost constitute a record. Sir Maynard was one of the original members elected to Council in 1908, so that his proposer and seconder have been of the same mind —and the electorate —for over a quarter of a century.

The Northern Division covers the main coconut areas of the Colony and includes the important sugar district of Labasa. For the last four terms, this division, which numbers 259 electors, has returned Major W. E. Willoughby Tot tenham, a retired Regular Army Officer, who decided to buy a coconut plantation and settle in Fiji.

The two divisions on the Northern and Western Coasts of the mainland each return one member, one division having 254 electors and the other 143 electors.

These divisions cover the main sugar producing district of the Colony and will again this year be represented by Mr. H. H. Ragg and Mr. J. P. Bayly.

There are three Indian members.

(Continued on page 33.)

The three Fijian members are nomin ated by the Great Council of Chiefs. One Fijian member of the last Council has since died and the new nominee has not yet been appointed. The two present members are Ratu Pope Seniloli and Ratu Deve Toganivalu, I.S.O. Ratu Pope is the descendant of King Cakobau and is, therefore, the hereditary Paramount Chief of Fiji. Ratu Deve is a Retired Civil Servant.

The obvious choice of the Council of Chiefs —and doubtless of the Government —would be Ratu J. L. V. Sukuna, a graduate of Oxford and a member of the English Bar with a distinguished war record. Ratu Sukuna, however, has been appointed District Commissioner for Eau, where he has jurisdiction over Europeans, Fijians, Indians and Chinese alike.

The Official Members.

The other half of the Legislative Council will consist of the 12 Official Members, heads of various departments, who will be condemned for the next three years to sit in a bored and silent row opposite the elected and nominated members and not be permitted to speak save with the consent of the Governor.

As a species of purgatory, the duties of an official member of the Legislative Council have much to commend them!