Democracy

Damnation Of

Remarkable Statement Issued

by High Chiefs of Fiji

A STATEMENT of unusual interest, embodying the Fijian natives’ opinion of the alteration of the constitution of the Legislative Council, was submitted early in November to the Colonial Sec retary, Suva, by the native members of the Legislative Council, who signed ‘‘for and on behalf of the senior chiefs of Fiji.”

Fiji was developed by Britain, much as other South Seas countries have been developed. The natives were assisted and educated and, in due course, given a share in government. Under the Fiji system the Europeans, the Fijians, and the Indians each elected representatives to the Legislative Council. Complications were introduced when the rapidly-grow ing Indian community demanded the ‘‘common roll.” Acceptance of this plan would have meant eventually handing over Fiji and the Fijians to an Indian Government. The British decided, in stead, to abolish the elective system alto gether and substitute therefor a Legis lative Council composed of representa tives of all three races, nominated by the Governor.

The statement of the Fijian chiefs is in 12 sections and it traverses, in autho ritative fashion, the constitutional history of Fiji. It is emphasised that the his tory of the Fijian people is such that they unstintingly give allegiance to their superior chiefs, and the constitution of Fijian society is such that men cannot hold the high office of chief unless they are men of superior ability and per sonality, ‘‘Reared for ages in this atmosphere,” says the statement, ‘‘the native possesses a strong sense of obligation towards the State. Rights he does not press, the tribal structure of society affording him sufficient protection . . . He visualises government as commands issued in the general interest by a hierarchy composed of chiefs, priests, and elders. Authority he regards as something chiefs alone are qualified to wield. The notion that the people are the best judges of matters of vital importance to the welfare of a state, the idea contained in the referen dum, is for him utterly incomprehensible, for unconsciously he feels it to mean the transfer of power from knowledge to ignorance.”

With* this damning indictment of ‘‘democracy” as we know it, the Fijian chiefs proceed to argue in favour of the nominative system of appointing the Legislative Council, as against the elec tive system which is being abandoned in Fiji; and they declare unequivocally for the proposed nominative system.

This statement of the point of view of the Fijians has been prepared with re markable forensic skill and presented with equally remarkable literary ability; and it is worthy of publication in Euro pean countries as a telling argument against the evils .which have sprung out of our democratic systems of government. ‘‘Our fathers,” say the chiefs, ‘‘ceded this country to Great Britain in order to secure for themselves, their people, and posterity a form of government that would ensure peace and happiness, justice and prosperity ... In the development of democracy lies a danger we must all

dread —the predominance of ignorance and prejudice in the councils of the Colony, forces just as nefarious and ruinous whether they be in alliance with Europeans, Indians, or Fijians. Such are the perils that lie ahead of the elective system, and such are the grave dangers that threaten, not only our landed in terests, but also the wider interests of the Europeans.”

The natives say that they have come to the parting of the ways and, looking ahead in the light of their own interests and also in the interests of those to whom they handed over their country—the British —they choose deliberately the sys tem of government by nomination. The historic document is signed by D. Togani valu, P. E. Cakobau, and J. L. V. Sukuna.

It is an interesting coincidence that this declaration of constitutional policy by the native chiefs was published within a few days of the anniversary of the signing of the deed of cession under which the king and high chiefs of Fiji gave their country ‘‘unreservedly to her Britannic Majesty, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and we trust and fully repose in her that she will rule Fiji justly and affectionately, that we may continue to live in peace and prosperity.”

This deed of cession was accepted for mally on October 10, 1874. On December 5, 1935, the Governor of Fiji (Sir Mur chison Fletcher) at Nasova, Levuka, for mally unveiled a memorial which has been erected there on the very site where the chiefs in 1874 ceded the islands to Great Britain. There was much ceremo nial and many interesting speeches made by Europeans and Fijians, and the event was written down as a red-letter day in the history of Fiji.