Requirements

Indian (And European) Requirements Presented to Governor

Prom Our Own Correspondent SUVA, March 9. 11/IHATEVER other impressions he has ff gained on his just-completed first official tour of the northern and western districts of Viti Levu, the Gov ernor of Fiji (Sir Brian Freeston), must by now have an excellent Idea of what the more vocal people want. “Vocal” ap plies more particularly to the Europeans and Indians, and in the case of the In dians the wants, apparently, are endless.

An address of welcome, presented by the Indians of Nadi or rather, pre sented by Mr. A. D. Patel, MLC, on be half of the Indians of Nadi lost no time in getting down to the things re quired. They started with Fijian lands (this request is always presented in the guise of “security of tenure’.’) and moved through medical services, education ser vices, a great many other amenities for Indians in rural areas, and “easy acces sibility txD police protection” whatever that means to a plea for the virtual abandonment of the Immigration Ordi nance, which was passed last November and, in the view of a great many Euro peans, Fijians and even some Indian or ganisations, was years overdue.

The Nadi address lingered on the plight of Indians in Fiji, who, “anxious to main tain social and cultural contacts with our cousins and relatives in India” are now permitted only a year in which to galli vant if they wish to avoid making appli cation, like everyone else, for permission to re-enter Fiji.

When Indian members were fighting the Immigration Bill, tooth and nail, in

the Legislative Council in November, and when at least one Indian organisation was firing off cablegrams to New Delhi, and to practically anyone else who might be in a position to help block the Bill, it was pointed out in the press that the shrillest advocates of “non-discrimi nation” were now demanding discrimin ation for the sole benefit of Indians who made money in Fiji and then went to India to spend it.

THIS criticism is incidentally, sup ported by many Fiji-born Indians who, like the Fijians and many part- Europeans, are finding themselves squeezed out of business by sharp-eyed newcomers from India.

In the Legislative Council in November Mr. Patel himself was tersely reminded by the former Financial Secretary (Mr.

A. W. R. Robertson) that he was not Fiji-born.

During the famous Indian demand for the “Fijianisation” otherwise Indian isation of the Civil Service, Mr. Patel (a prominent lawyer) referred somewhat slightingly to people whom he called “im ported officials.”

“As one of those so labelled,” said Mr.

Robertson icily, “I have been wondering why not ‘imported solicitors’ as well?”

At all events, the string of Indian re quests put to the Governor at Nadi does not seem to have been received with marked warmth.

His Excellency invited his Indian hearers to compare the lot of the Indians in Fiji with that of their kinsfolk in India.

SOMEWHAT on Indian lines, in the opinion of some, was the address, presented to the Governor on his arrival, by Sir Hugh Ragg, on behalf of the unofficial members of the Legis lative Council. This asked for the speed

ing-up of Fiji’s journey towards self government.

Admirable in theory, “democratic self government” sends cold shivers down the spines of those who see in it the threat of still further Indian political power and still further satisfaction for Indian avari ciousness.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wheeler, of Gilalum Plantation Kokopo, New Britain on February 21.