Fiji Natives’ Share in Government

Colony’s Diamond Jubilee—Splendid Record of Administrative Achievements

THE Crown Colony of Fiji, on October 10, 1934, celebrates the diamond jubi lee of British administration in these islands.

The Fijians have advanced far along the path of human development since their leading chiefs signed the Deed of Cession at Levuka (then the capital town) 60 years ago.

Although they ceded their country vol untarily and unconditionally, the Fijians have always retained a considerable share of the duties of government, more espe cially those which concern their domestic affairs.

A code of Native Regulations provides for this share of administration being un dertaken by responsible bodies of native officials, and the Code is, in fact, a modi fied form of unwritten native law as it was found at the time of Cession. Trained native magistrates hold court for dealing with offences by natives, and native scribes are selected for secretarial work in respect of Fijian affairs in each of the 19 provinces into which the Colony is divided. These officers are paid from Government funds, and also receive small additional allowances from the revenue of the province in which they work.

At the close of each year the province holds its annual council meeting, attended by chiefs and people, and presided over by either the Secretary for Native Affairs or a deputy, who is usually the European Commissioner for that province. The meeting is apprised by the headman of each district of the province as to the health and condition of the people of his district, and by-laws are made relating to the general welfare of the inhabitants of the province, which, if approved by the Governor, are then enforceable in the native courts referred to above.

It is apposite to mention here the

scheme of medical supervision of the Fijians. Suitable youths, after receiving a general education in one of the higher Government or Mission schools, are put through a four-years’ training course in medical subjects in the Central Medical School at Suva, an institution conducted by the combined endeavours of the ad ministrations of Fiji, Samoa, Gilbert, and Ellice Islands, British Solomon Islands Protectorate, Tonga, Cook Islands, and New Hebrides, all of which contribute to wards its maintenance and send in can didates for training, who on qualification return for duty in their respective terri tories. To each province in Fiji is ap pointed one or more of such native prac titioners, who either take sole charge of an area or a hospital, or act under the direct guidance of a European medical officer.

The population of Fijian natives has been increasing for the last 25 years, and the estimated figure now stands at 97,000.

The Administration devotes especial atten tion to child welfare work among the Fijians, and the Fijians themselves give their services and add the force of their interest to make a success of this import ant work.

It is good to be able to record that the accounts of the Colony at the close of last year showed that the excess of assets over liabilities totalled £201,000, the highest, figure in the history of Fiji.

Quite recently the Secretary of State for the Colonies authorised and the Legis lative Council agreed to the borrowing of a sum of £290,000 for works which, on completion, will be of permanent value to the country; and, of this figure, the construction of new roads and bridges will consume approximately £177,000.

Part of this last-named amount will be used to build a section of the road along the south coast of Viti Levu Island —a new enterprise—and, when built, there will be a circular trunk road round the island, over 300 miles in length.

Local opinion has been generally in favour of such an island highway, for it is realised that the possibility of making a motor tour right round this “Eden in the ocean” is going to be an added attrac tion for visitors from overseas, who con tinue to come in increasing numbers, and for whose entertainment in the islands nothing is too much trouble.

Only an actual visit to this tropical paradise can convince those who have not yet made it of the enjoyment which Fiji can offer to anyone seeking something new in the way of a holiday.

Well might be adopted the slogan: “We who believe in Fiji are going forward.”

Kingsley Roth.