Free

[?]Ijian Producer Is Not

[?] orthright Charges By An Old Resident

Letter to the Editor )N January 31 there appeared in the Fiji Times an article con futed by the Fijian Affairs Board ititled “Fijian Economic Future.” he article was a collection of facts, gures and inaccuracies.

The writer dealt with a voluntary astern of deducting a certain amount ton from native products—mainly ipra—so that a central fund could g drawn upon for constructional iprovements in the villages—a very mnd idea, on paper. It quoted the 'stem in operation and the benefits lat had already accrued from it, id it was suggested that the system j legally made compulsory.

On February 7 there appeared lother article—or, as it was labelled brackets, “Advertisement.” It was idressed “To the Fijian People,” id was signed by Morris Helstrom, td., per J. M. Hedstrom. It was ie contention of Morris Hedstrom, td., that the proposed scheme was it a voluntary one as far as the

Fijians were concerned, but one of coercion and misrepresentation. In their own words: “The scheme is not a voluntary scheme, in the sense that each in dividual Fijian-producer is permitted of his own free will to decide whether the deduction for the Fund shall be made from the proceeds of his pro duce. All Fijian officials have been persuaded to support the scheme with all their power, and the struc ture of Fijian society being what it is, that power is very weighty. The mistaken belief that any producer who does not take part in the scheme is breaking the law has not been discouraged, and is still held in some districts.”

This was the main reason that Morris Hedstroms refused to take part in the proposed scheme. And, to this day, they have remained firm in their decision.

OVER two years previously an alleged voluntary scheme was inaugurated in some provinces; and it was partly the results of this scheme that prompted the decision of Morris Hedstrom. I can speak with authority of the conditions in force in my province at that time anl I doubt whether there was one single instance of the copra deduc tion being voluntary.

From the time it was first intro duced the whole scheme was dis tinguished by misrepresentation and intimidation. When the DO gave a true version of the scheme, he would be contradicted in his absence by the representative of the Fijian Affairs Department, It seems to be unknown to higher officials that the District Council is the easiest method used by minor officials (Fijians) to coerce the Fijians. They assert their assumed

authority in influencing the decision of the Council, and having it -passed off officially as the will of the people.

This is quite contrary to the most recent prerogative of the District Council, as laid down in the Native Regulations.

When the Fijian Development Fund Bill was passed last year, it

occurred to many Fijians that the new scheme was identical with the old and, if the new scheme was legal compulsion, the old could not have been. Immediately, the “voluntary” deductions fell off to nothing, right up until August 1, when the Or dinance came into force.

Since then, authorised copra buyers

through the Group have been more or less abiding by the conditions ot their licences (or the licences of theii employers). While the Fijian De; velopment Fund Board in Suva haw all information at their fingertips— at least as far as it concerns them —no check apparently is being mad* on the producers* behalf. As long aj the pink receipt copies are supplieo to the Fijian Development Funo Board, with the necessary cheque; before the 14th of the following month, the worries of the heao office are over for another month.

In almost all instances where native buyers are operating, the letter o!< the law is not adhered to. The Bill was first passed to help the Fijians; each copra vendor was to have the final say in the crediting of his copra deduction, whether to himself, his tribe or his village. As the system now stands, there is little indication of this in native districts, and the Fijian Development Fund Boarc apparently connives at this irregular ity, in collusion with certain trading firms.

As usual, the individual Fijian is the butt of another high-minded

scheme, with low-efficiency organisa-,

tion. With the lack of full under standing of his rights, he has been impressed into a system where he is more than ever imposed on by mem

bers of his own race—especially the self-seeking Government chiefs who have the backing of those well-mean ing but sadly ill-informed people who form our Government. 1 am, etc.,

Voice In Wilderness.

Fiji, 9/3/52.