Fiji Politics

Association That "Keeps Officials On Their Toes"

THERE was a distinct air of liveliness about the annual meeting of the European Electors Association, Suva, held on March 28.

The refusal of the British Colonial Office to their request for a reform of the Constitution, so as to provide for more representation of the people in the administrative machinery, was condemned in strong language.

Mr. D. M. N. MacFarlane said that a delegation had carried their protest to the Governor, but the latter had declined to take any further action. The Governor had refused a plea by Mr. J. P. Bayley that a plebiscite be taken. Their pro test therupon had been sent individually to 640 members of the British House of Commons. rE Association’s proposals, which in cluded the extension of the franchise to the Fijians, were opposed by the Fijian chiefs, who said that their people did not desire any change. The Fijians exercise considerable control over their own affairs within the general framework of the Colony. This has been designed to conform closely with old native cus toms, and it provides for village control and for the combination of villages into districts, the districts in turn being com bined into provinces, which hold their pro vincial councils at regular intervals.

The objection by the Fijian represen tatives to the proposed change was based on the ground tnat if the Fijian was transferred from the native laws and brought under the general laws of the

Colony the whole foundation of his social and economic life would be disturbed.

Supporters of the proposal claimed that it was necessary to remove the Fijian from chiefly rule if the race was to pro gress and meet the economic challenge of the Indians.

Mr. W. Grainger Johnson, MLC, given permission to address the meeting, pre sented arguments in favour of the present system of governing the Colony. He must have felt like Daniel in the lion’s den— but he faced a hostile audience with a bright smile, and met plenty of inter jections.

Mr. Bayley made a sharp attack upon Mr. Johnson, and declared that he was trying to justify his nomination to the Council, rather than to defend the system.

He went on to argue that the Fijians should be given the vote—Bo per cent, of them were ready.

THE following office - bearers were Elected: President, Mr. A. A. Ragg; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. P. Bayly, H. L. Gerrard, D. M. N. MacFarlane and F. V. Dunstan; secretary, Mr. R. L. Barn father; treasurer, Mr. S. Powell; auditors, Messrs. Pearce and Lawler; committee, Messrs. G. E. R. Anness, K. A. Marlow, K. Witherington, G. A. Furby, B. Ashley, C. G. King, A. Groom. G. Barratt, A. M.

Heatly, W. J. Ragg, C. S. Phillips, E. H.

Mcllwain, E. V. Lawson, J. S. Rushton and J. B. Stinson.

THE Electors’ Association is regarded in Fiji as “a hotbed of young radi cals”. Nonetheless, it is held in es teem by Europeans generally, and treated with affection by the high officers of the Colonial Service. It is a very good thing that such an organisation exists in a Colony like Fiji. It may not achieve much in political reform; but it attracts the brighter young men of the community,

provides an outlet for their active inter est in politics, and it keeps the adminis trative officials on their toes.