Crime Among Fijians
p. 110 · Read in the full issue
Unexplained Increase in Crime Among Fijians
Prom Our Own Correspondent SUVA, August 10.
THE high rate of crime among Fijians as compared with the rate for Fiji-Indians, and the sharp increase in crimes of assault with violence and robbery withcmt violence, are the outstanding features of the annual report of the Fiji Superintendent of Prisons, published in August, 1953, and cov ering 1952.
The report shows that over twice as manv Fijians as Fiji-Indians were held in the Colony’s prisons during the year (575 as compared with 219). Comparing the relative pooulation figures (136,000 Fijians and 149,000 Indians) the percentage of crime amongst Fijians is there fore considerably greater.
The Superintendent, in express ing concern at the increase in crimes of theft and violence, sug gests that in the case of theft, which has trebled since 1950, the reason might be that in an era of rapid expansion, men are being placed in positions of trust before they are mature enough to under take such tasks.
He offers no explanation for the 100 per cent, increase in crimes of assault with violence since 1950, but asks “Is it because corporal punish ment is now very seldom, if ever, ordered by the Courts; or that there is lack of home discipline, as well as a slackening in national dis cipline, bad housing, or a general disregard of law and order?”
The population of Fiji was approxiamtely 313,000 last De cember. Of the 848 prisoners who had been held in prison during the year, 4 were European, 19 part- European, 219 Indian, 575 Fijian, 5 Chinese, 10 Melanesian and 16 Micronesian. Classified in age groups, 3 were under 16, 172 from J 6-20 years of age, 253 from 20-25, 381 from 25-50, and 39 over 50 years of age.
There were two executions at the Suva gaol during the year.
In regard to the many cases of Fijians failing to pay taxes, the Superintendent considers that more use should be made of a provision in the ordinance whereby such offenders could be allowed to live at their homes but receive neither rations nor money for duties im posed on them under police super vision.
H Ratu G. K. Cakobau, returning to Fiji from attending the Coronation as an official Fiji representative was, in early August, welcomed home at Bau with full ceremonial.