Them

fiji's Taxpayers On The Warpath, Too [?]t Only Half Them [?] Still Wild

iji taxpayers have decided to

w the example of Terri

ms in Papua-New Guinea,

set up a Taxpayers’ Asso on.

E first get-together of Fiji’s axpayers was last November, ollowing increases in income import duty on certain goods other taxes. Over 600 attended meeting in the Suva Town Hall, since then tempers have cooled what and only 250 turned up le March meeting, and gener affairs were conducted in a gentlemanly fashion. /e ral speakers were appreci of the fact that, since the first ing, the Government had given ssurance that “economies would lade”. A “categorical and very 3some assurance”, one speaker i it, and others were inclined gree; after all, it was quite ilous to expect the Government ork miracles in five minutes, should be allowed time.

"Wild Derision"

:h sentiments, of course, would sgarded with wild derision in Guinea; but, then, Territorians more rugged characters than ifitis, and perhaps have learned o expect sweet reasonableness their government. aetheless, some Fiji residents attended the March meeting there without their rose red spectacles. Some were of pinion that the time had come the Fiji Legislative Council d have more elected members, ■esent Fiji Legco has six elected bers, nine nominated members iding five Fijian members who ly are pro-government) and 16 al members. Mr. J. P. Bayly ssted that there should be 18 ;d members, made up of equal >ers of Fijians, Europeans and ms. ather matter for displeasure the decision by Authority not >en deliberations of the Select nittee on Finance to the public, otocol demands that a select littee be a secret assembly, said

one taxpayer, then Fiji should abandon the system forthwith and let the financial affairs of the Colony be debated in full detail in the Legislative Council.

There are, of course, unofficial members of the Finance Committee who have to approve Government expenditure. They may throw their weight about considerably but if so, no one hears about it, as what goes on is in secret session. This sealed lips policy works both ways; as sug gested in Talanoa in December, it is always possible for members of the Select Committee on Finance, unofficial and official, to respond to criticism by saying: “If only I could tell you what I said, or how I voted.”

This is one reason why the tax payers of the Colony would like to see the deliberations of the Com

mittee emerge from behind its Iron Curtain.