Fiji Broadcast
p. 49 · Read in the full issue
Interest of Native Children
FIJIAN children who live in isolated places will go to surprising lengths to hear a radio programme.
Early in August an A.W.A. commun ity-type receiver was being taken on a tour of the more remote hill villages of Viti Levu. The officials concerned, with their pack horses and native bear ers, struggled over the muddy bridle paths, taking six hours to trek 10 miles between two villages, travelled in pour ing rain along paths made into quag mires by the pack horses. They crossed a mountain range, forded the flooded Wainamala River at least 20 times, and slipped and staggered along river flats head-high in Para grass.
Arrived at their destination, they in stalled their equipment and were hav ing a much-needed bath in the river when a host of Fijian children arrived, running over the trail that had taxed the party so sorely. They were from the school of the village the demonstra tors had left that morning; and, hav ing enjoyed the “Walesi” concert the night before, had followed the caravan to hear another entertainment. Aged from seven years, upwards, the child ren had set out after school hours at 3.30 p.m. and had run, slipped over and swum 10 miles of trail in less than three hours. They arrived singing, as only Fijian kiddies can sing.
The "Walesi” had an enthusiastic au dience that night, listening to the Suva station ZJV. Afterwards, the children slept around the intriguing box that had spoken to them in their own tongue— even mentioning their own names!
At dawn they disappeared into the river mists, for the journey back, in time for school.
EDITORIAL NOTE.—The introduc tion of radio to primitive communities —it is going on all over the world —will accelerate the pace of “Europeanisation”.
That is a pity: for already, the social problems created for Administrators by the rapid changes in environment and outlook are serious enough. However, nothing can be done about it —“progress” may not be checked. One can only hope that the Pacific administra tions will keep a close check over radio broadcasts designed for the native peo ples, and try to prevent, in their case, some of the deplorable effects seen as the result of uncontrolled or irrespon sible broadcasting elsewhere.