Happening In Fiji

Here Is What's Been Happening In Fiji

Suva, Oct. 15

Here are the highlights of the trouble in the cane-sugar industry . which caused economic and 'political convulsions in Fiji in the four months, June to September, inclusive:

• The deadlock now is virtu ally ended, insofar that the Colony’s four crushing mills now are working full-time, and the CSR Co. now seems confident it will produce Fiji’s 1960 quota of 199,000 tons of raw sugar by the time the mills close on Janu ary 22. • Over 3,000 Viti Levu cane growers assembled in Lautoka on October 15, hoping to see Mr.

Amery. Mr. Amery, however, left for Suva that morning. Early on the 15th, he met Messrs.

Patel, Koya and others; recom mended them to place their grievances before the coming inquiry into the industry; and urged them to proceed with cane-cutting. They reported to the mass meeting. Motions that cane-cutting be proceeded with generally were then carried. • A great deal of the avail able cane will not be cut, how ever. It was one of Fiji’s best cane-crops. The farmers planted a larger area than usual, having been officially urged to do so in 1959. • Because of the troubles, there will be very little new planting in 1960. The 1961 crop will come from ratoon or secondary growth. In that re spect, the outlook is not good. • The Government still is maintaining in the sugar areas large bodies of police, special police, reservists, etc., so as to give protection to cane-cutters and mill workers and CSR Co.

property.

• The representatives of all the Fiji communities in the Legislative Council in September unanimously and unequivocally condemned the tactics of the Patel group in leading the sugar growers into the deadlock, and the character of the propaganda with which it had surrounded its activities (see p. 49). • The Legislative Council has asked the Government to set up an inquiry into the sugar in dustry (see p. 141). • The sugar industry deadlock, and the activities of the Patel

group, have created a very un friendly feeling in the Fijian community towards the Indian community. This seems to be growing, and is being demon strated in various ways in social and political affairs.

The Fijian leaders do not take much notice of the fact that only a small minority of Indians are aggressive and unco-operative— the great majority seeking only peaceful co-existence with the other communities. In the view of some leading Fijians, all Indians are bM (see p. 22).

That this is a serious political factor is shown by the hostility of the Fijian community towards the Burns Report.

As a result of the sugar in dustry’s dislocation, there is a ‘•money tightness” now through out Fiji —traders giving little credit and trying where possible to turn slow-moving stocks into cash by sacrificial sales. Most traders say “the real pinch will come in 1961”.

Patel Group on Warpath

Most farmers were —and are— in debt to the storekeepers. Many of the latter under instructions from the Nadi-Lautoka Patel group minority, demanded im mediate payment of their debts from growers who had begun cutting. Those who refused to cut were not pressed, and even were helped. There are stories of men being sacked or suspended be cause their relatives had com menced cutting.

Certain Gujeratis, actively spreading the Patel group’s pro paganda, declared publicly that Under-Secretary Amery had talked to Mr. Patel for two hours at Nadi airport while on his way through to Australia. In fact, Mr. Amery arrived in Australia via the Middle East, and did not reach Fiji until October 12.

Stories were circulated that the mills were not crushing—that the loaded trucks which were run to the mills during the day were secretly taken back, loaded, to their starting-places during the night, ready for another “fully loaded” demonstration next day.

It was said that the mill fires

(Continued on page 148)

are kept stoked, so that the snu may create the idea that crush is going on.

Observers insist that the Ft group’s motives are clear—to ere political and social trouble £ economic disaster, so that Europeans may be driven out, s the Indian planters may take o trol of the country.

The growing belligerence of Fijian community may be Fijians’ reaction to that idea. < of the best and brightest of Fijian leaders told a PIM wril “The Europeans must remain h to hold the balance fairly betw the Fijian and the Indian cc munities. Otherwise, there will bloody massacre.”

As seen here, close up, that is over-statement.

Governor's Patience

The Governor, Sir Kenne Maddocks, has been criticised c or twice because of “lack of fu ness” in handling the very elu; and stubborn “Patel group” dui negotiations extending over m months.

The fact is that the Gover brought the country safely thro' a politico-economic crisis that cc have led to grave disorder. ' illiterate and uninstructed cai farmers, blindly following tl union leaders, easily could have ta trapped into rioting and breac of the law. The Governor’s patie with all parties may have ta up many days, even weeks, bu did, in the end, bring about a sumption of work, without riot or bloodshed.

A report from Singapore late September that 200 British tre had been standing by all the moi ready to be flown to Fiji at the Governor’s request, caused a d uproar in Suva. How dared Governor take this action with the knowledge of his Execus Council, demanded some. Why bi English troops into Fiji, when whole Fijian community was re to go to the Governor’s assists, shouted others.

But it soon was apparent that Excellency had done the right ths again. He had merely asked if s troops would be available, if neeo and had been assured that t were—a comforting thing, at t stage.

Knowledge that thousands Fijians—many of them trained? soldiers—would rally to the G! eminent, if asked, also is comfc ing. But it would have been dang ous, in view of Fijian feeling tows the Indians. Better to bring wholly unprejudiced, well-trai: men of the British Army, if anr help were needed.