Called “Mr.”

Indians Hanker to be Called “Mr.”

From Our Own Correspondent SUVA, Sept. 3.

WHEN a Fiji-born Indian wrote to the Press objecting to what seems to be a widespread adoption of Indian “titles” by various local Indians although the Indian leaders in India have dis carded their British titles, he added: “Indians in Fiji must be on guard against fancy foreign titles and slogans.”

Besides being the first time an Indian has called anything Indian “foreign,” this started a discussion in which it was pointed out that Indians in Fiji uni versally demand the English courtesy title of “Mr.” although this is absolutely foreign to them.

In Fiji no Fijian is ever addressed as “Mr.” If a Fijian is not entitled to the hereditary title of Ratu, he gets nothing.

Thus occurs the absurd situation in which Fijian officials, teachers, and (in more than one case) officers of flourishing busi nesses are not “Mr.,” while Indian youths of no standing whatever are solemnly given their “Mr.”

One of the Fijian members of the Legislative Council who is not a Ratu is not a “Mr.” either.

Certainly, the Fijians have never ex pressed the slightest wish to adopt the foreign “Mr.,” and Indian insistence is merely part of the Indian obsession over “equality.”

Resentment comes mainly from Euro peans who, in one case, have pointed by way of example, to the last Suva Town Board report, which lavishly distributes “Mr.” to all and sundry Indians. The report also inadvertently deprives a Fijian Ratu of his title. This has not been the subject of any sort of protest, but there would have been an uproar if an Indian “Mr.” had been mislaid.

Incidentally, the shipping and airline companies insist on calling Fijians “Mr.” whether they want it or not.