Sharp Surprises In Fiji's

Legco Poll

went to the polls late in A April under its new constitution, which gave the vote for the first time to the Fijian people and to women of all races.

Counting was incomplete when

PIM went to press, but the follow ing interesting results were definite and they showed the unexpected defeat of Mr. Gibson, and strong voting for Messrs. Patel and Koya, who were connected with embarrass ing strikes in 1960-61: European Southern—R. A. Kearsley (388) defeated D. W. Brown (375).

Northern European—F. G. Archibald (358) defeated H. B. Gibson (341).

Western European—R. G. Kermode (573) defeated S. L. Berwick (296).

North Viti Levu, Indian—S. M. Koya (3,998) defeated J. Shankar Singh (3,480).

Western Indian —A. D. Patel (6,244) defeated D. S. Sharma (3,346), Southern Indian —A. I. N. Deoki defeated four other candidates.

Fijian Central —Semesa Sikivou (10,152) defeated Ratu Livai Volavola (2,600).

Northern Indian—J. Madhaven (2,756) defeated H. Kohli (2,154).

Western Fijian—Ratu Penaia Ganilau won easily.

The voters will elect an enlarged Legislative Council consisting of a Speaker, not more than 19 official members, and 18 unofficial members —of whom six, two Europeans, two Indians and two Fijians, will be nominated. Four Europeans, four Indians and four Fijians will be elected.

The previous Council comprised a Speaker, 16 official members and 15 unofficial—the five Fijian members of whom were chosen by the Council of Chiefs, and not by a direct vote of the Fijian people. (For full details of the new plan see PIM, April, p. 63).

Three members, one European— Mr. J. N. Falvey—and two Fijians— Ratu K. K. T. Mara and Ravuama Vunivalu were returned un opposed, leaving contests in the four Indian constituencies, three of the European and two of the Fijian.

Life of the new Council will be five years, but nobody in Fiji doubts —least of all the candidates—that there will not be further con stitutional changes in that time. It is likely that a constitutional conference will be called in London to discuss Fiji’s political future.

The two nominated Fijians on the Council (selected by the Council of Chiefs) are Ratu Edward Cakobau and Ratu George Cakobau.