Pampered Natives and

Muddled Economics Fiji Resdent Does Not Like The Writing On The Wall

Letter to the Editor REFERRING to a comment by Mr. Pat Costello which appeared in an issue of “PIM” this vear, I should like to substantiate his theory—or. rather, col lection of facts that our economic policy is fallacious in the extreme. The issue is, how long are the British tax payers going to be complacent in the idealistic policy of their Government of subsidising their dependencies?

The period of this spasm of conscience that se'ems to have assailed the Labour Governments, concerning their obliga tions towards their subject races, must certainly hinge upon the economic situa tion. The position in Fiji is probably typical of that which prevails throughout the British Empire. There is no sign of a tong view in the Government economic policy being followed.

The Civil Service leads the country in high salaries. The PWD employees here have received ridiculous rises in wages, and a reduction in working hours, money is lavished on native administration, child welfare, town planning and educa tion.

Many of these things are necessary, and many unnecessary; but, whatever the case may be, the money still pours out and, although people talk of the in evitable depression, few realise where this money 'comes from and what sacri flees it means to those who indirectly provide it.

Taking the political situation as a whole to-dav in*Fiji, monev is no object.

The economic aspect is completely over shadowed by minor political problems dealing indirectly with the all-important

issue, the Deed of Cession—that accusing scrap of paper which directs attention to our duty to our charges, the Fijians.

INCIDENTALLY, what are our obliga tions to the Fijians? I have read the Deed of Cession, and see there only unconditional surrender by the natives of any rights they might have had, so as to save themselves from foreign domination (FTench, American or Tongan).

Thev chose —that is, if they had any part of the choosing, which is doubtful — the least of several evils (if British domi nation could be called evil). Judging by its doting policy towards the natives here —in common, evidently, with its policy everywhere—it is anything but evil —except to itself, as an over-indulgent blood donor to the world in general.

Fiji has only been able to exist, from the beginning, as an economic unit, by depending on a special product—first it was cotton, then copra, now it has sugar, copra and gold.

Yet, from the beginning, the Fijians have never been compelled to share in the labour obligations of this economic set-up which made their existence pos sible as free people. The labour position was so acute in the old days that thous ands of foreign (Indian) labour had to be indentured—and now the Indian prob lem is the official bogey.

With New Zealand and Australia and America and other members of the Can berra Conference harping about things concerning which they have only the slightest knowledge, the natives of the Pacific have become the centre of un precedented attention —which contrary to the theories of these well-wishers abroad —is resulting only in growing contempt among the natives for the white man’s law and opening the way for a state of anarchy in the future. This is due to native belief that the changes—notice able even in remote parts—are due, not

to the new laws of the white man, but to his growing impotence. This is a re gion where the natives still practise black-magic in their everyday life, and visualise no control but force.

Meanwhile, the economic issue is at stake. While little is being done to brighten the prospects of the future, everything is being done to make them gloomy. The Labourites, when out of power , have always been so eloquent on economics; but, now in power, they are typical of the working man, with so much money and looking for somewhere to spend it.

Where is it going to end —as end it must? The British tax-payer will even tually demand a say in the allocation of his hard-earned money, which the British Labour Government lias seen fit to serve out so magnanimously.

I am,etc.,

Gauna Vou

Fiji. 16 8 1947.