How The Fiji-Indian
p. 11 · Read in the full issue
Problem Arose
WHEN Britain, in 1874, at Fiji’s request, took Fiji into the Empire, Britain solemnly pro mised to protect the fundamental rights of the Fijian people.
In the ’Eighties, Indians were brought into Fiji to work the sugar plantations, and eventually were allowed to settle. Population figures at intervals since then:— Year Fijians Indians 1891 105,800 7,468 1901 94,937 17,105 1921 84,475 60,634 1936 97,651 85,002 1948 approx. 120,000 127,000 Indian immigration has ceased, but the Indian birth-rate is enor mous, and the death-rate low. The Fijian vital statistics are quite good, but the natural increase of the Indians is more rapid.
The Indians, with rising insis tence, are demanding Fijian land.
The Government, mindful of the steadily increasing numbers of Fijians, says that the Fijians’ land needs must come first.
Thus, within recent years, there have arisen racial and economic problems which steadily are getting more difficult.