The Fiji-Indian, J.P.

Article in P.I.M. Causes a Stir

From our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Oct. 12.

AN article from a Suva contributor under the heading of “Fiji-Indian J.P.,” which appeared in the September issue of the “Pacific Islands Monthly,” caused something of a stir in Suva, and this had its culmination to-day, when His Excellency the Governor (Sir Mur chison Fletcher) referred to it in his opening address at the meeting of the legislative Council.

The article stated that an Indian resi dent, Mr. K. B, Singh, had been appointed a J.P.; that on a court day at Naduru loulou, Rewa, he presented himself at the District Commissioner’s office and de manded that he be allowed to sit on the bench with the presiding magistrate; that the latter refused and that Mr. Singh then appealed to the Governor; and that the latter gave instructions “that Mr.

Singh was to be allowed to sit on the bench whenever he pleased—a privilege which he has since exercised.”

His Excellency said: “I will state the facts. It has been my declared policy to govern the Fijians through their Chiefs, and to select prom inent men from among the Indian com munity who are capable of leading their people. In furtherance of this policy I have opened to Fijians and Indians the honorable office of Justice of the Peace, which has heretofore been confined to Europeans, and I have appointed to this office two Fijians and two Indians, three of whom are members of this Council, “In furtherance again of this same policy I have asked the District Commis sioners to extend to the Fijian and Indian Justices the occasional courtesy of an in vitation to sit with them on the Bench.

There is no question of a Justice of the Peace having any title of claim to this courtesy. It must be remembered in this connection that Europeans frequently sit as assessors in the Supreme Court. Jus tices of the Peace, who sit on the Bench, take no part in the proceedings.

“The District Commissioner, Rewa, who is a member of this Council, in due course issued an invitation to Mr. K. B. Singh, who is also a member of this Council; the invitation was accepted, and Mr.

Singh has sat on one occasion. The initi ative was taken by the District Commis sioner. There was no claim or request by Mr. Singh, and there was no appeal or reference to myself.

“A similar invitation was given by the District Commissioner to Ratu Popi Seniloli Cakobau, who is also a Justice for the Rewa District and a member of this Council. Those who understand the trend of local antipathies will be aware that a similar story composed about a Fijian Chief would be without interest to that audience whom the writer of the article is addressing.

“It is with reluctance that I transgress the rule that the Government does not reply to articles in the Press, but in the present instance I regard it as against the public interest that an untrue statement, which is calculated; to stir up racial feeling, should remain unanswered.

There is no shadow of truth in the malicious insinuation that I have in effect badly snubbed my Senior District Commissioner at the instance of an Indian, and the allegations of action taken by Mr. Singh to force his way to a seat upon the Bench are wholly without foundation.

Beach gossip translated into cold print and broadcast to the world may become

dangerous, when it has recourse to a false premiss in order to arouse racial antag onism and to bring discredit upon the Government,”