Fiji Relations

[?]an Gesture Towards Better Fiji Relations

By a Special Writer

i interesting and significant

mt in Fiji in February was

eparture from Fiji for India four man delegation, to tour as the guests of the Govern of India. 1 four men selected for the nission are Ratu K. K. T. tfara, the R.R. Deoki, Mr.

Tlkaram and M. Abdul f. Ratu Mara is to be the ■ of the delegation, s is the outcome of a plan some time ago by the former i Commissioner in Fiji, Mr. . Bhasin who, in his three residence in Fiji, has done a deal to bring together the s of the Fijian and Indian unities.

Bhasin takes the same view ost experienced observers of : in Fiji—he feels that the only o ensure the future security s valuable Colony is to en r,e the Fijian and Indian s to co-operate in future gov nt and development. He put e proposition to the Govern of India that a delegation Fiji should visit India as 3 guests and so perhaps gain

ter understanding of India’s

k on Indian immigration and as settlement.

Bhasin had proposed that the

delegation comprise two Indians and two Fijians: but other Fijians nom inated could not get away at this particular time.

"Man of Vision"

Mr. Bhasin was delighted when, after consultation with the Gov ernor of Fiji, Ratu Mara accepted the invitation, because this young

Fijian now is ranked among the leading men of vision and education in the Colony.

Because of industrial and political events in 1959-1960, there has been a certain strain in the relationship between Fijians and Indians in re cent months, and this is an em barrassment to the Government which is trying to get on with de velopments calculated to take care of Fiji’s economic and political problems.

[?] his departure from Suva, the former Commissioner for India in Fiji, Mr. K. D. Bhasin, [?] ed many functions in his honour. Here, the president of the Fiji Youth Club, Mr. [?] shotam, presents a gift to Mr. Bhasin, who was patron of the club. Also in the picture is Mr. Eric Stinson.

Photo: Stinsons

Fiji's new Commissioner for the Government of India, Mr. J. K. Ganju, in January presented his credentials to the Governor of Fiji, Sir Kenneth Maddocks. He arrived in the "Monterey".

Mr. Ganju, 46, will live in Suva with his wife and three children. He was educated in England and later taught law at Lucknow University. Mr. Ganju has served in diplomatic posts in Burma, Persia and Mexico.

Photo: Rob Wright