Increasing

Indians In Fiji

with the Official Report for 1935 by the Secretariat for Indian Affairs in Fiji, the English magazine, The Indian, published the following article in a recent issue: Applications to enter Fiji are still received in large numbers from Indians living in Bombay and the Punjab. The policy of the Government, however, is to restrict immigration to the needs of the Colony and thus assure to its Indian population the healthy economic standard that at present prevails.

Encouragement is given to those who have permanently settled in the Colony to introduce their wives and families from India, but the admission of single males is restricted as far as conveniently possible. No restrictions are placed on persons desiring to visit India and return to Fiji at a later date.

The bulk of Fiji’s Indian population is engaged in agriculture. Cultivation of sugar-cane claims the largest number of farmers and the balance are occupied in the growing of rice, maize, cotton and other minor crops.

Since the last census was taken in 1921, the following figures, showing vital statistics, compiled from the records of the Registrar-General, can only be re garded as approximate. The estimated Indian population of the Colony on December 31, 1935, was 85,892, comprised of males 50,011, females 35,881. The

disproportion in numbers of the sexes is year by year decreasing. Natural causes in company with controlled immigration assist this adjustment.

Births registered during the year reached a total of 3,210, a birthrate of 37.7 per 1,000. The death roll was 716, representing a death-rate of 8.10 per 1,000.

The figures for infant mortality under five years showed a rate of 8.30 per cen tum of live births. During the year im migrants numbered 551, and emigrants 442. The increase in population was therefore 2,936, as against an increase of 1,474 in the native Fijian population.

So far as It is possible to ascertain from available data the classification as regards their provinces of origin in India are as follows: United and Central Provinces 54,600 Southern Indians 25,500 Punjabis 3,000 Gujeratis 2,500 This leaves a balance of approximately 800 whose origin cannot be definitely stated owing to the absence of particu lars.

The practice of despatching one direct steamer per year from Calcutta for Fiji still continues. The right of a return pas sage to India is not largely exercised by those entitled thereto. Latterly, however, there has been a slight increase in the number of wealthier members of the community who have availed themselves of this route to visit the Motherland.

These people invariably return to Fiji by the next available steamer.

The Elephanta on her last direct voy age to Calcutta carried 364 passengers, of whom 163 were returned at the Gov

ernment’s expense under the Repatriation Ordinance No, 24 of 1930, and comprised 101 males, 25 females and 37 children.

Savings taken to India in form of Bank and Treasury drafts by the pas sengers totalled over £20,800.

The Elcphanta was a departure from the usual type of vessel hitherto des patched insomuch as first and second class cabin accommodation was avail able. This arrangement was greatly ap preciated by Gujeratis and the wealthier cultivators who were able to afford some thing better than the usual deck accom modation and fare.

Dr. E. T. Brennan, Director of Public Health at Rabaul, New Guinea, arrived in Sydney with his wife and their three children by the Tanda on March 24. They will spend eight months’ leave visiting Europe and will return by way of the United States.

Mr. Eric V. Lawson, manager of Messrs. W. R. Carpenter & Co.’s store on Rotuma Island, north of Fiji, was married in Australia recently. With his bride, he departed from Sydney early in March by the* W.R.C. vessel Rabaul for

Fiji.