Future Government

Of Fiji

Letter to the Editor.

SEVERAL letters in the Pacific Islands Monthly in regard to the Nomination v. Election question in Fiji, putting the case forward in favour of the nomination system, have a strong odour of official dom. The man on the beach is at a loss to understand what all the fuss is about.

The. Secretary for the Colonies has asked or directed that before taking definite action the views of the commu nity as a whole be ascertained. Now this seems a clear-cut command and one would think could be easily obtained by the simple course of a referendum. But for some obscure reason this course is not favoured by the powers that be, and all sorts of arguments are being brought forward against it.

In the first place, it is contended, the conditions in Fiji are such that a referen dum would be of no avail, but no reason is given to uphold this view.

Then we are told that unless nomina tion is resorted to, a common electoral roll will result, and the Colony will be dominated by Indians. However, as this argument did not appear to be water tight, another bogey was introduced — that of the danger of half-caste control.

It is difficult to imagine how this idea originated, especially as the only half castes in any number in the Colony are of European-Fijian descent. Practically, the European-Indian half-caste is non existent, and as the European-Fijian half-castes are, it is well understood, whole-heartedly in favour of European and dead against Indian control, it is not easy to anticipate trouble from this source.

Now we find the Government (or, rather, the Governor) has caused a cir cular letter to be sent to each European elector asking him to advise the District Commissioner in his electorate either orally or in writing whether or not he is in favour of nomination, and also en closing an extract of the Governor’s speech on the matter when addressing the members on the opening of the Legis lative Council. This is considered by many to be an unprecedented and un desirable proceeding, and is not calculated to arrive at the true wish of the people, as there will be no secrecy and scores of electors will hesitate if not abstain from openly expressing their views.

It is generally believed that there is some ulterior motive on the part of the nominee advocates, beside the fear of a common roll or domination by either Indians or half-castes. But what it may be is carefully hidden.

Those in favour of the elective system hold as follows: The Legislative Council as at present constituted is clothed with sufficient power or authority to deal efficiently with the question of a common roll or any other which may crop up.

The fact of the Legislative Council

being a nominee chamber will not in any way alter or improve the outlook.

No British Government, no matter of what political brand, would hand over the control of the Colony, together with the interests of the Fijians, to any race of people other than Britishers of European descent.

The proper and only practical way of conforming with the command of the Secretary for the Colonies is through the ballot box —otherwise a referendum.

It would seem from present appear ances that the Government are out to force, nolens volens, the nominee system upon the community, and many people hold the opinion that no matter what the views of the community may be some dodge will be resorted to to bring the nominee proposal into being.

I am, etc.,

Richard B. Howard.

Navua, Fiji, December 12, 1935.