Council Of Chiefs Meet
pp. 16-17 · Read in the full issue
In Fiji
rE Council of Chiefs (held biennially) was opened in Fiji on November 3 by the Acting-Governor, Mr. J. F.
Nicoll. In view of the new system of native administration which is to come into oneration shortly, this Council was of narticular importance.
The Council has no legislative authority, but it makes recommendations to the Government concerning native welfare; the Governor usually attends, in state, to open and close proceedings, and from names submitted to him at this gather ing he selects the five Fijian members of the Legislative Council. In future these five members, together with the Adviser on Native Affairs, Ratu Sukuna, will form the Fijian Affairs Board, which will play an important part in the government of the Fijian people.
Points from the Acting-Governor’s speech at the opening ceremony were: Because the Government is concerned about the problem of “exempted” Fijians, certain proposals have been prepared by Ratu Sukuna, and the Chiefs were asked to give some thought to a policy which would encourage the development of village communities from within while avoiding the disruption of those com munities and ensuring that communal obligations were not too onerous and really necessary for the well-being and happiness of the people concerned, and
at the same time allowing individuals proper scope for their own natural development.
Proposals to build market places in appropriate centres throughout the Colony are to be made shortly.
It has been suggested that Queen Vic toria School should not return to its former site at Nasinu, but that it should be situated along the Tailevu coast near Lodoni.
A Fijian war memprial has been sug gested; Sir Philip Mitchell suggested a chapel at Queen Victoria School; and Ratu Sukuna, the establishment of a War Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Work continues in the anti-filariasis and tuberculosis campaigns. The Gov ernment intends to provide funds to repair water supplies in villages or to instal new systems where that is neces sary. It is intended to put all water supplies under a central organisation which will be charged with maintenance.