Fiji's New Governor

Addresses The Leading Chiefs

SUVA. June 22. rE Council of Chiefs —an assembly which, as the Secretary for Fijian Affairs (Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna) once told the Legislative Council, is regarded by a majority of the Fijian people as something above even that august body itself—was opened by the Governor (Sir Brian Freestone) at Suva’s picturesque police depot at Nasova to-day.

Tucked away behind Government House, Nasova is one of the most beautiful corners of Suva, and a perfect setting for the mingling of military pageantry and Fijian ceremonial provided by such an occasion.

The Fiji Police guard-of-honour, and the band of the Fiji Military Forces, were drawn up on the smooth, sweeping lawn that forms Nasova’s parade ground. Alter the inspection the Governor took his place in a large marquee where the Chiefs were assembled. As is usual on purely Fijian occasions of the highest import ance, the invited guests were limited to Government and Service heads, a few Church dignitaries, and half a dozen or so private citizens. In accordance with Fijian tradition, women are not present in the crucial marquee.

This is the first sitting of the Council of Chiefs since 1946. A meeting was called for last August at Somosomo, but was cancelled because of the death of Ratu Lalabalavu, Tui Cakau, one of the council’s most distinguished members.

Governor’S Address

rE Governor’s opening address was notable for several features, not the least of which was the way in which His Excellency avoided platitudes and laid his arguments before his hearers with the straightforwardness that appeals to a thoughtful Fijian in exactly the same way as it appeals to thoughtful people of any other race.

Sir Brian quoted a statement made by Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna in 1944. when the new Fijian Administration came into be ing, that the Fijian race was at a parting of the ways.

“When he spoke those words you were still at war, and about 10 per cent, of the total Fijian population was in the Armed Forces or directly employed in the war effort,” said the Governor; and added that, despite the handicaps of post-war rehabilitation and reconstruction, the ad ministration had made much progress.

Population Problem Dealing with the still alarming rate of Fijian child mortality, Sir Brian said: “So long as your children are allowed to die, so long will you continue to be out numbered —and increasingly outnumbered —by people of other races. The estimated total population of the Colony at the present time is 273,977, and although the Fijians number 122,749 of this total, their number has been exceeded by the Indian population, whose estimated total now stands at 128,374. There is consolation in reflecting that the mortality rate among the Fijians is not so high as it was, and the recent Census figures show that, for the first time, the Fijian popu lation is now greater than it was in 1881.”

Government efforts to curb the child mortality rate were mentioned by the Governor, and he also referred to the newly compiled book by a Fijian woman, Lolohea Waqairawai. BEM, which is de signed to assist Fijian mothers. But he

added: “The task is mainly in your own hands.” , After detailing the progress of the fight against such diseases as tuberculosis, the Governor said: “Half the battle would be won if we attacked the disease effectively by eating the right kind of foods, living in the right kind of houses and avoiding over crowding and wearing wet clothes for long periods.”

Native Trade and Industry The Fijian response to his recent appeal for the planting of coconuts and the cleaning up of plantations had been ex cellent, said the Governor. Many thousands of trees had been planted and extensive planting schemes had been worked out by Fijian Provincial Councils.

Since the Co-operative Societies Ordin ance had been received on the Statute Book last year, 28 applications for regis tration had been received from Fijian groups, he continued; and he made par ticular reference to the work of the Fijian Co-operative Marketing Association, one of the oldest and most successful of Fijian co-operatives, and to the Bua Copra Venture.

The urgent need for the preservation and replanting of the native forests was stressed.

Leadership Saying that the future, full of com plicated problems, demands properly trained leaders, Sir Brian pointed out that the number of Fijian students attending overseas colleges and Universities, most of whom are sponsored by the Govern ment, is greater to-day than at any other time.’ A committee was investigating the question of providing funds for raising the standard of Fijian education.

“I appreciate,” added his Excellency, “that the monetary contribution by the Fijian people towards education has reached its limit.”

The address concluded with a strong reiteration of the Governor’s earlier appeal for the maximum production of food.