“Merciless Fecundity” Of

Fiji Indians

Letter to the Editor I READ with interest the article by Mr.

Abernethy on the Indian problem in Fiji. I do not know what are his qualifications for discussing this matter.

But I will say at once that when he says that repatriation of the Indians is wishful thinking, and that the only problem— already solved —is the preservation of the Fijian race, he is ignoring the greatest and most dangerous factor —the merciless fecundity of the Indians.

It is a matter of simple arithmetic.

Our census officials believe that the Indians will double themselves in 20 years.

What will the Indian population be in 50 years? And how many Fijians and Euronesians will there be? At the present rate of increase, this small archipelago in a few years will have to accommodate one million people, with an ever-accelfer ating rate of increase. It is enough to make anyone shudder.

It is no less than the duty of the Gov ernment to get the Indians out of here; and only thus can the British honour their trust. So far, the Fijians have trusted the Government blindly. Unless a miracle occurs, they will be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency as surely as were the Czechs at Munich in 1938.

Lautoka. I am, etc..

Sugarlands.

The NZ National Airways Corporation announced on December 2, that to bring fares into line under the International Air Transport Association regulations, the Fiji-New Zealand plane fare had been increased to £NZ3I (£F34/14/5).

Fiji-New Zealand freight rates have been increased to 2/5 (NZ) a pound, with a minimum rate of 5/- (NZ).