Misuse Of Term “Fijian”

Fijians Object To

SUVA, March 28 SUVA’S wrath is at present directed to the persistent habit of the Australian and New Zealand press of labelling everyone who happens tc* come from Fiji a “Fijian.”

Two years ago there was a minor Euro pean howl over Indians who were said to be cashing-in on Fijian popularity in New Zealand. Now, however, it is the Fijians who have flared up over the re peated reports of “Fijians” figuring in more or less sensational court cases over seas.

The reason for this is that the Fijians do not recognise persons of Fijian-Euro pean blood as Fijians, and they most emphatically reject any other claims to the name.

The Sydney reports of three “Fijians” charged with the murder of two Indians at Port Adelaide on December 8. have led to what the “Fiji Times” describes as “angry comment.” One of the men is a Gilbertese, the second is part-Gilbertese, and the third is a Solomon Islander.

It is stated that both Fijians and Euro peans have asked the paper to make re presentations to Australian and New Zealand news organisations in an en deavour to have the matter put right.

The Fijians maintain that the good name established by Fijian servicemen and others overseas is being damaged.

M. Alfred Poroi, Mayor of Papeete, and a through-passenger in the ship “Wairuna” from Australia and New Zea land, paid a short visit to Suva at the end of March, on his way back to Tahiti after visiting the two Dominions.

Mr. C. L. Regan, who has been a legal practitioner in New South Wales, has joined the Fiji Public Service, and has been posted to the Western District as Chief Magistrate.

Recent passengers, Paris bound via USA, by Pan-American service were Monsieur Henri Bonneaud, President of the New Caledonian General Council, and the Noumea manager of Maison Ballande, with his wife and daughter.