A Problem In Fiji

British Law v. Koran Law A Problem In Fiji

BECAUSE certain of the laws relating to inheritance, guardianship, mar riage and divorce, which are part of the laws of the British Colony of Fiji, are not “sanctioned by the Koran”, the Mos lem section of the Indians now resident in Fiji are making a strong appeal to the present Governor for a re-considera tion of their case.

It appears that the Fiji Moslems have appealed in the past to two Governors, Sir Murchison Fletcher and Sir Arthur Richards, asking that, in the matters referred to, they should be governed by their personal laws as set out in the Koran: and they claim that each of the two Governors named gave them an as surance that their wishes would be respected. They state, however, that the present Governor, Sir Harry Luke, has refused to deal further with the matter, and they understand that the present British laws applying to them must stand.

This is typical of the troubles which beset the Governor of a three-community Colony.

The Europeans and Fijians are quite content to live under British colonial law, which is broad enough and liberal enough to provide for almost anything.

But the Indians, while demanding all the freedom and political privileges of British colonial life, ask, in addition, for special treatment on account of then religion. That is, they are asking for something that is not even given to European religions. The attitude of the Government, apparently, is that the Mos lems should place themselves in the same position as the Roman Catholics for ex ample—they should adapt their commu nity laws to the broad general laws under which they live, and not expect the broad general laws to be adapted to the special needs of their community.