The Warpath

[?]tacks on Fiji's Major Industry

Nti-Csr Gangs On

By a Staff Correspondent

Suva, May 2.

Again, there is danger of üble in the Fiji sugar industry, d again it is caused by an irre icilable element in Northwest ti Levu which apparently wants fight the CSR company, irre jctive of the issue.

FEW weeks ago, the CSR, re - viewing world sugar prospects and Fiji cane position, urged the ie-farmers to plant more cane for 1962 harvesting, so that Fiji could sure of meeting its share of the imated world demand. A section cane-growers proceeded to plant.

But certain Indian leaders (and y are close to the same people o led the disastrous strike of cane >wers during 1960) have circulated /ice to the cane-growers, not to nt. ‘Do not plant until we have the »ort of the Sugar Commission and ow what is recommended,” they “The CSR already has agreed buy all the cane planted in 1960, you will lose nothing by waiting they must buy all the cane planted 1961.”

It is a cunning move, calculated to embarrass the CSR.

But, ignoring the advice, certain Indian farmers have continued plant ing. Whereupon they have been at tacked—mostly at night—by terrorist gangs who mostly ride horses, destroy property and discharge fire-arms at the houses of the farmers. Some of the latter have had narrow escapes.

Police are out in the Nadi-Siga toka area inquiring into “incidents”.

Within the past fortnight, shoot ings, burning of cane crops, mysteri ous burning of bures and vehicles, intimidation of intending planters, have been reported.

Consequently, new cane plantings are insignificant. It is a clear policy of non-co-operation with the CSR, in spite of clear instructions and de finite promises.

We have interviewed some of the farmers concerned. None will talk.

There is evidence of reprisals.

The policy appears to be organised.

No direct orders not to plant were quoted—but growers acknowledge that the suggestion had been made by “some men” who “accidentally’ happened to be in the vicinity and “accidentally started to talk about planting”; and they dared not refuse.

To cap this outbreak of terrorism, there comes the broadcast statement made by the Chairman of the CSR Co. (Mr. Dunlop) in Auckland, that the company is not happy about its investment in Fiji.

Surely, it is time for the Govern ment to protect Fiji’s major industry

(Continued on p. 145)

siting Fiji in April—as part of a tour in which he inspected New Zealand defence stations was the NZ Minister for Defence, Mr. Dean Eyre, photographed with the Fiji Police Commissioner, Mr. R. H. Beaumont, and the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. T. A. Handford Photo: Rob Wright

nst the attacks of a small and ?ably subversive section of Indian ble-makers. nless there is new planting, the I and 1963 prospects are bad. i addition, high officialdom is being asked about an Indian ar expert” named Mathur. who :ars to be closely associated with A. D. Patel and conditions in North West. r. Mathur was brought from i to advise Mr. Patel’s factions ig the Sugar Commission sittings., inquiry ended long since, but Mathur is still with us and, be ; of his activities, responsible le are asking: Has his mission a ical as well as a technical pur • Who pays Mr. Mathur and Mr. lur’s expenses? In view of the way in which it now is treating newcomers, how does the Im ition Department regard the con i stay in Fiji of Mr. Mathur?

Pushing Starts June 6

e dates for the opening of the ing season, and the estimated ities of cane in sight, are: tons

e 6—-Lautoka . . . 705,000

e 6—Rarawai . . . 490,000

e 6—Labasa . 250,000 V 4 —Penang 75,000