Fiji Under Criticism

A Resident of 25 Years Finds Much Wrong With Administration

By Richard B. Howard

AFTER nearly 25 years of residence in the Crown Colony of Fiji, I often go over my impressions of the manner in which this Colony has been, and still is. being administered, and I come to the conclusion that there is much room for improvement.

Fiji, hitherto, has been plastered with administrators, selected bv the Home authorities, who apparently lack the experience, vision and initiative essential in developing a new country. The Colony is exceptionally fertile, with a most salubrious climate; but, through poor administration, its progress has been sadly checked.

The land policy has been, and still is, a most weird affair. No freeholds may be obtained, except in a few instances, when many years ago, the natives sold some of the land to Europeans. Now, the only way to obtain land is by lease. In order to obtain a lease it is necessary to gain the consent of the group of natives who may claim ownership. This is no easy matter, as if only one of the natives will not agree, the deal will not eventuate.

This is most discouraging, because months may have been spent, at not a little cost, In searching for a suitable area. No assistance will be given by the authorities, whose duty it is to collect the rents, which are ultimately distribred to the natives who may claim to be the owners, less ten per cent.

Again the colony is over-run by Gov-

ernment officials, lawyers, medical men and missionaries, all of whom are non producers and may be fairly considered parasites; the former being granted all sorts of concessions, the cost of which is paid from the public funds. All imports are heavily taxed, including a poll tax, besides a multitude of license fees, TT'OR some years, the system of electing X 1 members to the Legislative and Municipal Councils was by ballot, which had much to commend it, and proved satisfactory. But it was always arranged that an overwhelming majority of public servants were nominated by the Governor, and were instructed to vote as directed. It will be easy to stand that under these conditions the progress of the Colony was hampered, No matter what was proposed by an elected member, let it be ever so practi cal or commonsense, it would be bludgeoned out by the official majority, A case in point will give some idea of the arbitrary manner in which the Colony’s affairs are administered. Only two or three vears ago, an Administrator decided to do away with the elective svstem and institute that of nomination, This was strenuously opposed by the public, but the Administrator proved adamant. He was asked to have a refer endum taken, and he refused, The consequence is that to-day the Colony is governed by what is practically

a dictatorship, and may be considered a Totalitarian country. Democracy as understood by a Britisher, is dead in Fiji.

Again, not being satisfied with this, the Administrator changed the currency of the Colony to suit his own ideas. No heed whatsoever was given to protests by the public. This has proved to be most in convenient to business people and the

public. Further, he tried to block the search for gold or other valuable minerals —the most drastic regulations being formed to hinder the prospector. Not withstanding all this, gold in payable quantities has been discovered and has proved to be of incalculable value to the Colony.

Although Fiji is a most fertile country, with very regular seasons, capable of producing no end of agricultural pro ducts, little has been done to encourage this important industry.

To-day, certainly more attention is be ing paid to this matter; but one finds the Director of Agriculture has to some extent his hands tied by the parsimonious attitude of the powers that be, in the

way of providing sufficient funds. How ever, with his limited means he is at present making remarkable progress, The aim of the Government seems to be to erect costly public buildings, which in the opinion of many is a premature policy, not needed for the Colony’s pre sent requirements.

A luxurious yacht has recently arrived here. It cost some £60,000 or £70,000, and is for the use of the Governor ’ and his party. The upkeep and wages of the crew of this “white elenhant” will absorb no inconsiderable sum, All this is considered by the public as not only unnecessary, but actual squand ering of money much needed for produc tive industries.