The Indian Problem

Of Fiji

Letter to the Editor 1 WOULD like to comment on the letter by Major W. Willoughby-Tottenham which you reproduced from the “United Empire” in your magazine under the heading, “Problem of the Indians in Fiji.”

What the Major alleges in the fourth paragraph of his letter is out-of-date and, when argued from the Indian view point, who have been equally loyal, would place the Major in an embarrassing posi tion.

The Indian view point can concisely be expressed in the lines of Johnson:— “And I never made munitions at fifteen quid a week, Equality’s all eye-wash; I hate that sort of tripe.

I’ve no use for armchair critics, who won the war at home.

I hate conscientious humbugs and ideo logists, So to hells with cranks and faddists, and I’ll end as I began.”

The Major has evidently let himself go and hit wide of the mark in paragraph eight, presumably swayed by his pre conceived ideas for everything Indian.

Pe sons of mixed Euronean descent had been and are rarely employed in Gov ernment offices; therefore his accusa tion that “the Indian firmly entrenched in Government offices” has no ground to stand upon, to say mildly.

In the whole of his letter the state ment, “The only hope lies in the parties gradually merging their interests” can be appreciated as sound politics.

Without being personal: If all overseas recruited civil servants and archaic poli ticians were to be exported, and Fiji left to those who have no other country to migrate to, all would become smooth sailing. These archaic politicians stand in the way of progress and hinder Fiji becoming one united whole, where all to be for one and one for all, because

they have their vested interests to protect and augment.

The rest of his letter can easily be dismissed as a mere propaganda designed to appeal to pride and prejudice of his calibre, for obvious reasons.

It is not expected that the archaic politics of the Major will provide the problem of finding a solution for peace and harmony for the Colony of Fiji. Only those who have no axe to grind can with their disinterested and free mind find the solution for the various races of Fiji.

I am, etc.,

H. S. Singh.

Suva, 12/3/48.

EDITORIAL NOTE: One assumes, from the letter of Mr. Singh, that his solution of the Fiij problem would be the removal of the British entirely, leaving the rich Colony to the Fijians and Indians. What a pity that that plan cannot be adopted! And the warriors of Fiji, who find life somewhat dull between wars, and who probably subscribe gener ally to the sentiments of Major Wil loughby-Tottenham, doubtless echo our regret!

Mr. Theo Thomas of Rainau Planta tion, New Britain, was in a Sydney hos pital in March recovering from a recent operation. He is reported to be making satisfactory progress.