Fiji Outlines

Its Aims

The Governor, Sir Kenneth Mad docks, appeared to go out of his way to avoid some touchy subjects when he opened the first session of the newly constituted Legislative Council in May (see p. 61). Growing unem ployment was one problem that never got a mention.

WHAT he had to say on any sub ject was not particularly inspir ing. Probably his most telling point was to warn people against regarding the present prosperity in the sugar areas, because of the boom in sugar prices, as permanent. He said the boom was temporary, caused by events in Cuba and the severe winter on the European sugar-beet crop.

Long-term economic planning could not be based on the present value of sugar exports.

Sir Kenneth said that the copra outlook was not bright because of a fall in both production and quality.

He expected a report on this, and some advice on what could be done about it, in about two months from Lord Silsoe (formerly Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve) who had recently completed a survey in Fiji. Sir Kenneth said the Government had prepared a new and simpler subsidy

Fiji's Governor, Sir Kenneth Maddocks, in spects a guard of honour before opening the new Legislative Council on May 15.

Photo: Stan Whippy.

to promote replanting and g up of new areas (the last 1 rejected earlier proposals).

Governor said there would be >rganisational changes so that :e of land development could derated. All Government de nts would give priority to land »ment, and the entire effort be mounted on a much wider District Officers would devote ime to development work.

Kenneth also announced that a would be held of Civil Service (their pay and emoluments account for about one-third Colony’s budget).

Kenneth had some brief things on constitutional matters; people hoped he would have ich more. funded a little petulant that his oposal for a “member” system Legislative Council, which gradually have evolved into a rial system, had been rejected.

He pointed out that the present omcial membership of the Council (16 ) was a maximum number and it could be reduced at any time if it was decided to dispense with the official majority (of one) in the House. ... .

Such a decision is unlikely,” he commented, until unofficial members are ready to accept greater responsibility for the formation and implementation of Government policy.”

He added that the suggestion made this year by the Fijians that the Colony could be given political ♦uttvmu ® n *. a * n similar to the links U Vml had with the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands was still being considered by the UK Government.

A number of complex questions was involved and he would be unable to make an announcement for “some little time”.

Sir Kenneth retires from Fiji on September 12.

In an editorial The Fiji Times criticised the Governor for failing to emphasise in his address the far reaching “even revolutionary” consequences of the new policy pro posed for guiding development of Fiji’s resources. The editorial said the scheme to hand over development work to District Officers appeared “cock-eyed”. Such work should be given t 0 experts, and “not made to fit into the straitjacket of the present administrative set-up”.