Being Attacked

Portant Line Of

[?]Ung Chilefs

[?]ow Fijian Problem Is Being Attacked

)ME of the appointments made in connection with Fijian Administration are interesting. * following announcement was le late in March: atu Edward Cakabau, OBE, MC, ;eeds Mr. A. C. Reid as Deputy retary for Fijian Affairs, atu George Kakavulevu Cako , OBE, succeeds Ratu Edward Economic Development Officer Eastern Viti Levu and Roko Tailevu. atu George Tulsawau, OBE, who Roko Tui Ba, becomes in ition Economic Development ;er Western. itu Waka, Assistant Roko Tui roga and Navosa, becomes ng Roko Tui Nadroga and Dsa. appears now to be definitely irt of the policy of the Govern t of Fiji to push forward the ig. educated Fijians, who have ed their worth in various fields, aat they may become, in actual

fact, the rulers of the Fijian people.

Thus the policy successfully inaugurated in the elevation of Sir Lala Sukuna to high administrative rank is being continued and developed. The veteran Sir Lala is passing on his prestige and authority to the next generation.

The work done by the leading Fijians (especially Edward, George, Mara and Penaia) as Economic Development Officers is part of that Native Affairs Policy, Ratu Edward, who now comes prominently into sight as an Administrator in Native Affairs, already has earned distinction in the military, administrative and social fields. His further elevation is welcomed in Fiji.

Ratus George Cakobau, George Tuisawau, and Waka (mentioned in the recent “general post”) are all educated young Fijians of high rank; and to them, and to Ratus Penaia and Mara, and a couple of others of similar prominence, forming a first line of Fijian Administration officials, the Gov ernment looks with growing hope.

There is need for optimism. If the Fijian is to meet the thrusting, expanding Indian community on equal terms, the Fijian must move quickly from his present social condition (sleepy, communal village life, under the local chiefs) to a social set-up that provides for and

encourages independent thinking and modern individualism.

But the common Fijians move with maddening slowness. They are content with their present conditions, and recognise no urgency. What was good enough for their forebears is good enough for them, (Over)

The young educated Fijians, of the chiefly class, do realise the need for haste. They, like the Europeans, can read the warnings in the vital statistics. Like the Europeans, they can see the'frustrations and danger in village traditions and the old way of life.

The Government, in this dilemma, is turning more and more to the young Fijian leaders. Sooner or later, population pressures will create crises; and it is hoped that the Fijian leaders will be experienced and wise enough to handle them.

The transfer of Mr. A. C. Reid from his high post in Fijian Affairs to Tonga was a development which surprised those not behind the scenes in Suva. He knows the Fijians so well, and is highly competent in the use of their language. It would appear that he could have been so much more useful in Fiji, than acting as General Agent for the British

Government in Tonga.

1 Miss Anthea Fairfax-Ross, 26years-old member of the well-known Fairfax-Ross family, of New Guinea, has been appointed Assistant Press Secretary to HM the Queen. t A new telephone book, complete with alphabetical list and a classified section equal to the pink pages in southern books will be posted from

Port Moresby the first week in April. This was announced by the Director of Posts and Telegraphs, Mr. Carter, in Port Moresby last week t Trochus shells from the Navua area of Fiji were flown to Aitutaki (Cook Is.) by RNZAF Sunderland in March. An attempt will be made

to establish them in Aitutaki la* This particular variety of trr is not found east of Fiji.

U Mr. P. N. Dalton has exchs the Pacific Ocean for the Ii Ocean; after completion of hiss sent leave, he will assume duti Attorney-General, Zanzibar. Hi been Attorney-General, BSIP.