Fiji Indians’ Loyalty To Fiji

The new Commissioner in Fiji for the Government of India, Mr.

K. D. Bhasin, was warmly welcomed in Suva at a series of functions, and made an excellent impression.

MR. and Mrs. Bhasin were guests at a dinner in the Grand Pacific Hotel, given by the Fiji-Indian Citizenship Association, and attended by representatives of all communities.

In the photograph above, are, left to right, Mr. R. B. Sharma (a well-known Indian resident of Suva), Mrs. Bhasin, Mr. Shankar Pratap (president of the Associa tion), Mr. Bhasin, Mrs. Pratap, and Ratu Edward Cakobau.

Speaking at this function, Mr.

Bhasin commented that there ap peared to be no racial problems in Fiji—the three major races were living together in harmony.

Mr. Pratap said that the purpose

of his Association was the study of the cultural background of other racial groups, to foster good citizen ship and inter-racial friendship.

Speaking at a Town Hall welcome given by the Indian Association of Fiji, Mr. Bhasin said he was proud to learn of the contributions which had been made by the Fiji Indians to the political, economic and cul tural life of the Colony.

Mr. Abdul Lateef said the Colony had been built up by the three races—the Fijians provided the land, the Indians the labour and the Europeans the capital.

Other speakers stressed their loyalty to Fiji, while paying tribute to their mother country’s cultural background.