Political Jottings

From Fiji

SUVA, June 26. 11THATEVER the reason, local politics f T are definitely not in the doldrums.

Legislative Council will meet again on July 12, and these important and con tentious Bills will come up: • The Municipal Corporations Bill, providing for municipal councils elected from a common roll, which was covered in the March issue. • A Town Planning Bill to guide and control the development of land.” whether improved or unimproved, along modern town-planning lines. • And a new Price Control Ordinance as an alternative to the suggested “Regu lations by Order-in-Council” which were hastily withdrawn in February. fITHE European Electors’ Association J. strongly opposes the passing of the Municipal Corporations Bill and has already informed the Government that its “uncompromising stand” is for muni cipal councils elected on communal racial rolls. No doubt Aimee Ragg, MLC, the President of the Association, will advance in Legislative Council, the Association’s argument that while Government nom inated councils must undoubtedly go, each race should elect its own representatives.

And, further, that in Suva, for example the municipal council should be three Europeans, three Indians and two Gov ernment members, such as an engineer and a medical officer. There is some thing to be said for the proposal in that now, and for some considerable time to come it will be easier to find able Euro peans here than able Indians.

The Electors’ Association is putting out a highly creditable monthly bulletin (“The Guardian”) to its members. That, how ever. is its only source of publicity, and no doubt helps to hold its members to gether. But more publicity in various forms—by pamphlets, the radio, and the local press—could make the Association a more effective organisation and perhaps a sharper stimulant to the Government. rE Public Relations Office has added to the public’s appreciation of local affairs, and enlivened the political atmosphere. The Office’s weekly News letter serves a useful purpose with its offi cial news and gossip, but it is not going far enough.

To a considerable extent, in the words of Francis Williams, the mass of people here still feel that the administration of government is a vast bureaucratic machine with no.concern for them as in dividuals, and no desire to explain itself.

The Public Relations Office has not yet removed that impression.

On almost all important questions—new roads, hydro-electric power development, housing and so forth, the Government has not explained its policy, through the Pub lic Relations Office, but continues to keep it wrapped in the mystery of its post-war development plans, now being warmed up in London.

There is a growing political awareness here in Fiji, as there is in most countries of mixed populations; but the great maj ority of citizenss, in comparison with our European neighbours in Australasia, re main non-politics-conscious.

This may, or may not, be a desirable state of mind, depending upon who is viewing it. It does appear, however, that we are achieving more real peace than our neighbours. At the same time, we have sufficient anticipatory excitement in the Legislative Council elections which will take place later this year, and the municipal elections that are sure to follow.