Visiting British Minister

What Is Fiji's Political Future?

Visiting British Minister Sheds Little Light

From a Suva Correspondent Any far-reaching plans for changes in the Governmental system of Fiji will first be discussed in a conference in London between British authorities and representatives of Fiji com munities. However, it is not expected there will be any change in Fiji’s relationship with the Crown, as established by the Fiji Deed of Cession in 1874.

HESE points were made in Suva in January by Mr. Nigel Fisher, der-secretary for the Colonies, aking to a PIM staff correspon t.

Ir. Fisher had completed a tour the Solomons and the New Heb ;s (see below). As expected, there i generally nothing concrete in any Mr. Fisher’s replies to questions.

'he questions (in italics) and an rs were: \epresentatives of the Fijians have ed, quite definitely, that if any

change is planned in the form of government which may affect the fundamental rights of Fijians, as ex pressed in the Deed of Cession, they would ask the British Crown to re turn to the Fijians all the rights which they surrendered. How does the Colonial Office regard this stand?

“That, of course, is a hypothetical question, and no wise politician an swers hypothetical questions. In any case, I don’t think this one arises. I do not envisage any change in Fijian rights to land, as set out in the Deed of Cession.

“I am not thinking in terms of Britain’s withdrawal from the Colony.

I am thinking of an advance to in ternal self-government in Fiji.

“I envisage a continuing associa tion with the Crown, which leaders of all communities have impressed on me to be their desire. It seems to me a matter of preserving this associa tion; and it is on this line that I am trying to look at this problem.”

Consultation Before Change PIM stated in a preamble to one question that it was apparent the Colonial Office proposed to introduce into Fiji an increasing measure of self-government, and added: Is it the intention of the Colonial Office to consult the representatives of the different communities in Fiji, so as to ascertain what kind of self-govern ment will be acceptable to them?

Mr. Fisher said his idea was that anything that could be done should be done by agreement, and certainly by consultation.

“We have no idea of imposing anything upon the people of Fiji,” he said. He said he had come to Fiji to look, listen and learn.

He planned to collect the ideas of all communities and submit them to the Secretary of State for the

Colonies (Mr. Duncan Sandys) and his colleagues.

“Nothing will be done of a major constitutional character without con sultation,” Mr. Fisher said. “If we do move forward in the future—and I am not going to give a time-table— it would require a full-dress consti tutional conference which, I imagine, would be held in London under the chairmanship of the Secretary of State, and at which all communities would be represented, and all would have equal opportunity to put their views to the Secretary of State in working out a Constitution, in con sultation.”

He said that that consultation had already started with his visit to Fiji, in an informal, very friendly way.

The community leaders, in their turn (presumably after the con ference) would then consult their own constituents, and try to sell them the ideas they had reached in con sultation with the United Kingdom Government.

No "Vast" Conference in Fiji There are wide differences of opinion between the communities in Fiji concerning the character of the system of administration which may take the place of the present system.

Does the Colonial Office propose to take any steps to bring the communi ties together, so that they may them selves, in discussions, try to recon cile their differences of view, and unitedly make recommendations to the Colonial Office?

“I do not have any vast conference in mind,” replied Mr. Fisher. “I think it would be easier to reach agreement with a small number of individuals.”

It was for the leaders of the com munities to put up the agreed views

of their constituents, he said, and went on: “I don’t think the differences of opinion, as expressed to me, are as real as I feared they might be.

“I do want a united approach to these issues. It is only through making one nation out of Fiji that we can achieve the sort of future we want for everybody.”

The Burns Commission condemned the present system, under which the administration of Fijian native affairs is carried on separately from the rest of Fiji’s administration. Has the Colonial Office taken the Burns Com mission opinions and recommenda tions into consideration when making plans for the future government of the Colony?

“Yes, of course. I hope it does not sound too smug to say that the Colonial Office takes into considera tion everyone’s views.

“But the administration of their own affairs is, I think, a matter for the Fijians. It is deeply rooted in the customs and traditions of the past which, I know, are still greatly valued.”

Mr. Fisher said it was true that some Fijians had told him that the system should be altered to some thing more in line with modern con ditions. It had been put to him that the Council of Chiefs met only once a year, and this made prompt con sultation on major issues somewhat difficult.

But he thought that in time the Fijians would come more and more to realise that the system needed changing, in their interests as much as that of anyone else.

Mr. Fisher said he felt there was an advantage in establishing a proper system of multi-racial government in towns and townships, but not so much in rural areas. Local govern ment was very good training for national politics.

Will the Deed of Cession remain inviolate?

Mr. Fisher said he had found no disposition on the part of any com munity to alter it or change any par ticular clause. Most of the Deed dealt with the sovereignty which the United Kingdom had over Fiji.

Clause 4 was the only one which was directly concerned with the rights of Fijians, and it dealt with the ownership of their land. No one had expressed any wish to upset that.

On land usage, Mr. Fisher said he did not like to see land lying idle.

No one questioned Fijian ownership of the land; but everything should be done to encourage the maximum use of it.