Native Land Problem In Fiji

Retiring Governor Outlines New Policy

From Our Own Correspondent.

A at . , SUVA, Aug. 2.

N important statement on the Gov ernment’s native lands policy in Fiji was made by Sir Arthur Rich ards at a farewell function accorded him by leading chiefs of the Colony before his departure for Jamaica.

It should be noted that, owing to the* increase in the number of Indians in Fiji, and their eagerness to acquire land, the land problem in Fiji is an extremely difficult one. The British Government is bound to protect the land rights of the Fijian natives.

“Let me refer to a resolution of the Council of Chiefs of 1936 on the subject of kovukovu, or family lands contained in the holdings of an alien mataqali,” said His Excellency. “I have( been in formed that these lands have been de fined and surveyed in many provinces, but not in all. I understand that, though these parcels are generally small in area, some are valuable and much sentiment attaches to them.

“The Government is anxious to see you all confirmed in the ownership of your rightful lands and, in furtherance of this policy, it is proposed to instruct the Native Lands Commission to inquire into and define family lands in places where such holdings are customary, after the completion of the Commission’s investi gations now proceeding in the province of Lau.

“You have been addressed by Governors on several occasions on this subject of your lands, and it is always foremost in your minds. This question is not only important to you who own the lands, but is also of vital importance to others who have made their homes in Fiji. Bound up with it is the future welfare of the Colony.

“You passed a resolution in 1936 asking in effect, that Government should control all lands you did not require. Govern ment appreciates the trust which' you have put in it by this resolution.

“Since then, the matter has been sub mitted to all the provincial councils, with the result that the resolution of the Council of Chiefs was upheld by a large majority.

“I consider that it would be best for Government to pass a Native Lands Trust Ordinance, giving Government power to deal with all the native lands in, the Colony. This would mean that Govern ment would be bound byj law to carry out its trust in th,e best interests of Fijians, first, and afterwards in the in terests of others. A Commission, headed by Ratu Sukuna. would then be appointed, and would arrange with each mataqali for lands to be set aside for the exclusive use of Fijians. The lands not needed for would be freed for leasing to others. The rent would, of course accrue to you.

“My proposal, then, is th#t you should ask the Government to control your lands for you. The Government would then pass this Bill of which I speak and your representatives in Council would have; the opportunity of criticising the detailed provisions of that Bill, and the regulations under it.

“Th,e Bill would simply vest control of all native lands in a Board. The Board would consist of the Governor (as chair man), a native chief, the Director of Land and Surveys, and the Adviser on Native Affairs.

“As soon as the law had been passed and the Board constituted, the Board would appoint a Commission consisting of Ratu Sukuna, and assistants to be chosen by him, to go round and settle, province by province, the areas to be gazetted as native reserves. When his recommendations had been approved by the Board they would be gazetted. All the lands outside of these native reserves would then be available for leasing to applicants of any race—Fijian, Indian or European.

“The Fijian would not only have his ancestral reserves, to be handed down only to Fijian descendants, in which no other race might hold land, but in what I will call the free areas outside he would have equal opportunities with others.

“In regard to the manner of leasing, the final decision would always rest with the Governor’s Board. But to assist them, I think wouldd be best to set up in each province a local committee, consisting of the District Commissioner, as chairman, the Roko or native Assistant Commis sioner,, one Fijian to be elected by the provincial council and one Indian to be nominated by the Governor. This local committee would inquire into every ap plication, would refer it to the Lands Office for verification of its position and availability and would then make its recommendations to the Governor’s Board, which might in cases of several appli cations for the same land approve of one of them or order the lease of the land to be sold by auction.”