Fiji Writers Still Seek

Solution To Indian Problem

WRITERS in the Fiji Times lately have been contesting the arguments put forward by “Y”, in the February issue of PIM, in relation to Fiji-lndian problem.

“Y” took the view that a solution is very difficult because it is neither practicable nor possible to deport the Indian population of Fiji (as advocated by Mr. Amie Ragg), and because the native Fijians’ com munal system of living makes it almost impossible to train the Fijians to take, in the government of Fiji, the share that now is claimed, on population grounds, by the Indians.

The writers claim that “Y” is wrong in his assumptions, and that in any event he does not help matters because he offers no altern ative solution. One vigorous corre spondent thus outlines history and expresses his support for Mr. Amie Ragg’s plan of gradual deportation of the Indians (who now, with over 150,000, outnumber the Fijians by at least 20,000): FIJI, before Cession, was wholly Fijian, and these islands be longed to them. The Fijians of their own free will ceded Fiji to the British Crown, and not to India.

The Deed of Cession was signed some five years before the Indians were introduced to Fiji; and no agreement was made by the Im perial Government with the Fijians as to the terms and conditions under which the Indians were to be introduced.

In the course of years greater political privileges were granted to the Indians, and to-day they have equal rights with the Europeans: whilst the Fijians are confined within the obsolete communal system, and are subject to a permit system to live and work outside their own districts.

To-day the Indians outnumber the Fijians by 11 per cent., and in 47 years’ time, at the present rates of increase in the two racial groups, there will be about 933,000 Indians to 459,000 Fijians. The natural in crease of the Indians and Fijians at the present time is 3.89 and 2.51 per cent, respectively. The Indians, who are avid for political power, are exercising an increasing control in Government, which transcends that of the Fijians. In other words, the writing is on the wall, and un less something is done soon, the doom of the Fijians is certain.

This unfortunate state of affairs is due initially to lack of vigilance on the part of the Fijian leaders; secondly, to the go-getting Euro peans; and, thirdly, to the fact that since the introduction of the Indians, the India Office and not

the Colonial Office has controlled Fiji’s destiny.

The cumulative result of the fore going is that the Indians (British Government or no British Govern ment) , will at no distant date com pletely control the Government of the Colony, as they are doing for all practical purposes in British Guiana.

The Europeans will disappear, the Fijians will be abandoned to their fate, and the promises of a great Queen will be dishonoured and made void. A truly terrifying spectacle for a people who have trusted us; they have asked for bread and we are giving them a stone.

TO prevent this debacle, the covenants of the Deed of Cession and the principle of self-determination must be imple mented. It is imperative that the Government remain without quali fication in the hands of the British, intil that Government is satisfied ;hat the Fijians are able to govern themselves (since it is the avowed oolicy of the British Government :o confer self-government on the Deople as soon as they are ready :or it).

Obviously the granting of self government cannot be conferred m a predominantly Indian popula tion; hence their menace to the future of the Fijians must be re moved.

Then, when the time is ripe for the granting of self-government to the Fijians, the present system vould be replaced by a Protectorate, controlling international relations, defence and other services neces sary for peace and good govern ment.

Consequently, in the light of our obligations under the Deed of Session, we cannot allow the Asiatics to remain. They would quickly seize power as their numbers in creased, until the Fijians became their political and economic slaves.

This, then, is the basic reason put ’orward for the repatriation of the Asiatics. But as this situation has irisen through no fault on their oart, it is the duty of the British Government to arrange passages to [ndia and elsewhere, and provide tor re-settlement in keeping with 'equirements; and the sooner the colicy is put in hand the better, itherwise things will get out of land, with disastrous results.

An objective examination of the lituation in Fiji as it is to-day and dewed in the perspective of the future, leaves one aghast at the callous disregard of the rights of >ur wards. rHE fear that the Colony’s economy will collapse if the Indians are repatriated is argely an illusion; for, though dur ng the period of repatriation the Indian population will fall, the gap >ccasioned by their going will in a neasure be filled by the other ever

increasing elements of our popula tion.

Should the repatriates be largely drawn, in the early years of the 20 years’ repatriation period, from the parasitic and non-productive in dustries, our export potential will not be impaired. This is brought to light when we analyse the Indian labour engaged in the sugar industry.

According to the Government Return on the Distribution of Wage Employees for 1952, we find that there are 25 Indian employers and 2,385 Indian employees. To these must be added family workers which are not included in the re turn, say a like number; then the total Indian workers employed in the industry is about 5,000. Divide this number by 20, and we have an annual decrease of 250 workers, a gap which can easily be filled by Fijians and Part-Europeans, which will at the same time give the in digenous people a large and lasting stake in their homeland.

Editorial Note

WHILE we do not subscribe to Mr. Amie Ragg’s plan for the solution of the Fiji-Indian problem—namely, deportation of the Indian people—we are bound to point out that, so far, no one has come forward with any altern ative plan which could be brought into operation quickly enough to avoid the inter-racial trouble that

can be seen developing.

Now that the initial mistake of permitting the establishment of a large Indian population in Fiji has been made, the only apparent way out of the difficulty is to assist the Fijian people to take their place be side the Indians in the future gov ernment of the country. But practically nothing in that direction is being done, as a matter of de liberate policy. It may be too late, now. The time for action was at least 30 years ago, when it was pos sible to see that the natural in crease of the Indians was so much greater than that of the Fijians, and what it must lead to.

The present position and future outlook are indeed a very ugly re flection upon the British Colonial Office, which has allowed this thing to happen. In this connection, it may be pointed out that 18 months have elapsed since the Fiji Legis lative Council asked the British Colonial Office to examine the population problem in Fiji; and the Colonial Office has done absolutely nothing about it.