Fiji Municipal Councils

To Be Replaced By Nominated Bodies

From Our Own Correspondent.

Suva, Nov. 26.

IT was announced in Suva on November 12 that the Secretary of State for the Colonies had approved of the proposals whereby the present elected municipal councils of Suva and Levuka are to disappear. In their place are to be set up boards nominated by the Governor.

In the case of Levuka the entire board will be nominated entirely at the discretion of the Governor. In Suva, however, the board will consist of thirteen memhers—seven official and six non-official.

The latter are to consist of two representatives each from the European, Fijian, and Indian residents of Suva. The change over to the new system will probably take place at the end of 1935, although, it is understood, the Governor favours the middle of the year.

This development is of more than usual interest, as it reflects the trend of polical affairs in Fiji. It has been influenced by considerations of Fiji as a whole, rather than the narrower view of Suva.

The writer hopes in a subsequent article to give fuller consideration to the reasons for what at first sight appears almost a retrograde step.