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p. 38 · Read in the full issue
Fiji Native Affairs
Administrative Reorganisation
A BILL passed by the Fiji Legislative Council in February, 1944, reorgan ised the administration of Fiji native affairs.
The principal changes are: The Native Regulations Board is replaced by a Fijian Affairs Board, consisting of the Secretary for Fijian Affairs (new name for the Adviser on Native Affairs), the Fijian members of the Legislative Council, and a legal adviser. The Board will make (subject to Legislative Council approval) laws for the government of all Fijians, and control the finances and staff of the Fiji Administrative Service. District Councils, Provincial Councils and Dis trict Courts function as before; but Pro vincial Courts now will consist of either three Fijian magistrates, or two Fijian magistrates and a District Commissioner;
and this Court’s decisions may be revised by the Legal Adviser of the Board.
The general effect of the Bill is that
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native government- All Fijian revenue will be administered, and all native appointments (except those of Rokos and Magistrates) will be made by the Board; and the Rokos and Magistrates will be appointed by the Governor, generally on the advice of the Board, District Commissioners will be the representatives of the Secretary for Fijian Affairs in their respective districts, to supervise native local government where necessary. District Officers will have no authority over native Fijian local bodies or officials, except by report to the Dis trict Commissioner.
It was evident, from a masterly analy sis of the Fijian native administrative
system, and of the history of the system, made by that remarkable man, Ratu Sukuna (now Secretary for Fijian Affairs), that the system, as now estab lished, retains certain elements of feudalism, but is yet a step forward in the general direction of giving to the Fijian natives complete control of their own government.
Ratu Sukuna said: “The purpose of this Bill is to train the chiefs and people in sound and progressive government so that they may be better able in the future to participate in democratic institutions.”