Fiji’S ‘Kai Lomo’
pp. 151-152 · Read in the full issue
Folk With A
Chip On Their Shoulders
From Our Fiji Correspondent THE lot of the half-caste—or “part-European” as he prefers to be called —in Fiji is not a happy one. Everyone murmurs sympathetically that “something should be done about it,” but no body knows exactly what.
With little or no status in his own country, it seems a reflection on the Fijian’s pride of race that they use the name “Kai Lomo” with a touch of arrogance; and Govern ment’s disinclination to recognise “Kai Lome’s” often superior ability with higher rates of pay does noth ing to lessen the weight of the ‘chip” he carries on his shoulder.
Straining after a European •standard of living on current local incomes many Fijian part-Euro peans are rapidly beginning to re alise that Fiji does not offer them much future, and are setting their eyes on the New Zealand horizon.
There, at least, they say, a man is recognised for his ability and the colour of his skin is no deterrent to his progress. It is true that there is no “colour bar” in New Zealand—if only for the reason
that it is easy to be tolerant when a country’s native race is in the minority. Be that as it may, the part-European does seem to be able to adjust himself better overseas.
But “Go South, young man, go South” is not the ideal solution.
Nor is any form of segregation, in the form of separate educational facilities, as has been suggested by some, the answer to the problem Any move that would point him out as a “race apart” would tend only to aggravate the position.
Perhaps the brightest hope for them is the Education Department’s intention to expand its facilities for
technical education in Fiji—skilU tradesmen are badly needed, ai the part-Europeans’ ability is wr recognised. If the Trades Schoa as envisaged, are established in Fi a lot of the part-European’s frusti tion in not being able to “bettl himself” here will go. Given tj opportunity, there is no reason w! this group should not be able settle down as useful tradesmen ai technicians without the necessity seeking in other countries the oppc tunities for advancement denii them at present as unskilled wor ers in their own land.
(See also article on page 16)