Fiji Indians Sternly Reproved

Compulsory Notional Service Follows Their Refusal to Help in Colony's Defence

THE liberty allowed Indian politicians in Fiji in peacetime developed into license in war time; and finally the position has arisen that, while the European and native Fijian communi ties were eagerly and courageously shouldering all their obligations as citizens of a country in the front line of the Pacific war, the Indians were deliberately shirking their share of defence.

Fortunately, in Major-General Sir Philip Mit chell, Fiji has a strong Governor. He has refused to listen to the babbling of the Indian agitators, and he has told the Indians, sternly and precisely, what they are to do.

ON May 4, the Government of Fiji released the following statement:— “In order to provide the labour neces sary for essential war work, Government now requires at least 1,000 Indians, in addition to the many thousands of Fijian volunteers who are already serving as soldiers or civilian labourers. During the past five months, voluntary recruit ment of Indians has been in progress, but so far only 52 Indians have enrolled.

Indians will again be invited to join the Fiji Labour Corps, but Government has decided that, unless the required 1.000 men are recruited by June 1, it will enforce compulsory national service for Indians under the Defence Regulations.”

About the same time, a press camoaign was begun with the object of inducing young Indians to join a labour battalion voluntarily; and at the opening of the Legislative Council, on May 14, the Gov ernor, Sir Philip Mitchell, made a fur ther statement on the matter and a fur ther appeal. He gave a resume of the

work carried out by the Fijian Military Forces and the Fijian Labour Corps; and went on:— “Theirs is an example which I sin cerely trust young Indians in the Colony will immediately follow, at least to the number of 1,000. I am well aware that there are influences at work to persuade these young men to stand aloof from the fight which is being waged, among other things, in order that they may have a future as free men and may enjoy, in security, their lands and their occupa tions. I hope that they will be sensible and resist such dangerous and stupid attempts to deter them from their duty and I warmly welcome the efforts being made by Lieut, the Hon. K. B. Singh and the great moral courage and patriotism that he has shown in taking the lead himself in joining the Army and calling upon his compatriots to follow him.”

ON May 6, the “Fiji Times” expressed, in an editorial, surprise that the Government has shown such patience over the question of non-voluntary en listment of Indians. With the Fijians, the voluntary system has worked well and these people have put up a splendid record of service—providing battalions of fighting troops, and labour corps, man ning ships, merchant and naval, and enlisting in the police and fire services.

The stage has been reached when very little more can be expected of the native Fijian community (said the newspaper)

and It is only fair to expect that the work that these men have left will now be done by others—compulsorily, if not voluntarily.

ON May 17, Indian members of the Legislative Council defined their attitude to the enlistment of their compatriots, at the invitation of the Governor.

Mr. P. D. Lakshman said that the leaders of the Indian people had met a year ago and decided that recruitment of Indians was acceptable provided it were voluntary, and that men recruited were given pay and privileges equal to those received by Europeans. A number of factors had prevented Indians coming forward; Firstly, the question of pay; secondly, the Government had failed to take the long view with regard to many matters—one of them education—and it could not expect full and whole-hearted co-operation from people who had not the education to see things as they should be seen; thirdly—the Indians were mostly small farmers whose security was frail, and who could not leave their farms without their families suffering hardships. All the Indians wanted were certain facilities and reforms—then they would come forward.

Mr. Vishnu Deo said that the Gov ernment was asked to grant permission for the forming of an Indian platoon in the Fiji Defence Force in 1930; this was granted in 1934, but the numbers were kept down to 40 —applications over that number being refused. The platoon had remained in existence for eight years—or until regulations came out, which provided for different rates of pay for Indians and Europeans. The platoon

was then disbanded. He asked that recruitment continue to be on a volun tary basis and under the same rates of pay and conditions as European troops.

Mr. Said Hasan expressed doubts about success but said he wished the Second Indian Member (Mr. K. B.

Singh) luck in the voluntary recruiting campaign he had been permitted to com mence. He thought Indians should be allowed a living wage, and he would oppose every measure which showed the slightest discrimination between Indians and Europeans.

MR. K. B. Singh said that on Sepem ber 4, 1939, the Indian Member for the Southern Division (Mr. Vishnu Deo) had pledged the loyalty of the Indian community of Fiji to the Gov ernment of the Colony, knowing full

well that there were differences in the rates of pay of Indians serving not only in the military forces but in the Civil Service. He, himself, would like to see all differences removed: but why should they expect someone else to defend their homeland and their children? If they claimed equal status, they should take an equal part in defence. He could not guarantee to recruit 1,000 men in a fort night; but he had volunteered himself to set an example, and he hoped others would follow him. Members had spoken of the inconvenience caused by men Join ing up—but what about the inconveni ence caused to people in France, Bel gium, Java and Malaya—and even India.

In reply, the Governor said that every opportunity and inducement had been offered to Indians to take their place in the forces. He hoped that the debate would do a great deal of good in the country, but he must emphasise again that it wasn’t the least good digging up the resolutions of conferences of long ago. If the Allies who were defending the Indians of Fiji were defeated he had no doubt that hon. members would take the matter up with the Japanese com manding general. He was asking the Indian community to come forward and serve with the other Fiji communities.

The Indian members had done all the talking the situation required; they must now do some enlisting.

Fan Order published on June 1, by the Director of Labour and National Ser vice, notice was given that the re quired number of Indians not having come forward, he had been directed by the Governor to take stens to arrange for the registration of the prescribed class of Indians, who will be called up for essential civilian work within the Colony.

These men will be distinct from re cruits for the Labour Battalion; they will not be required to wear military uniforms, or be under military discipline.

Service will be for a period of six months, but they may volunteer for longer per iods; camp accommodation will be pro vided and thev will be controlled by and in the care of the Department of Labour and National Service.

Lieutenant K. B.

Singh, the only pro minent Indian in Fiji with sufficient wisdom to urge his country men to take their part voluntarily in the defence of the Colony.