Won't Co-Operate'

An D In Fiji The

Phrase Is, 'We

From a Suva correspondent Sunday, September 3.

The whole of Fiji’s Opposition walked out of the Legislative

Council on Friday. They say they

have no intention of co-operating with the colony’s new ministerial system.

FRIDAY was September 1, which is the day that Fiji’s new Cabinet system came into effect (for the de tails, see p. 20). Ministerial govern ment has been introduced as a result of the new constitution given to Fiji last year, under which the elections of last October were held.

The constitution was drawn up as a result of the constitutional con ference held in London in July, 1965, which was attended by the entire Legislative Council of that time, in cluding the present Leader of the Opposition, Mr. A. D. Patel.

Mr. Patel opposed the constitution at that time, and has continued to oppose it since becoming Opposition Leader.

Undemocratic

The present sitting of the Legisla tive Council opened on August 28.

On Friday, five days after the open ing, Mr. Patel moved a motion in the council condemning the constitu tion as “undemocratic, iniquitous and unjust”. In moving it, Mr. Patel said, “The time has come when in the interests of democratic freedom we must call for a halt”.

Fiji’s new Minister for Social Services, Mr. Vijay R. Singh, pro posed an amendment which was a complete reversal of Mr. Patel’s motion.

As Mr. Singh was proposing it, Mr. Patel rose and walked out of the chamber. He was followed by eight companions, all members of the Federation Party which Mr. Patel leads. These nine form the Oppo sition in the 40-man chamber, which includes 27 Government members and four officials.

The walkout appeared spontaneous, as several of the Opposition members appeared bewildered by this turn of events and hesitated before following Mr. Patel.

Nevertheless, that such a possi bility had been in the Opposition’s mind was indicated by one of the

Federation men, Mr. S. N. Koya, two days earlier. Angered by the Govern ment’s criticism of the Opposition’s tactics, he told the House, “We can leave if you don’t want an Oppo sition. You can have a one-party government. Is that what you want?”

As the Federation Party walked out, Government members called, “Shame on you! Shame! Cowards, cowards!”

Mr. Vijay Singh continued speak ing calmly on his amended motion, and said: “They are the great warriors who were absent in 1943 absent in war, absent in peace. I wonder where they propose to fight the constitutional battle? They are used to running away from the con ference table, these champions the Indians elected to go and fight their battle”.

Party's statement

After the walkout, the Federation Party issued a statement saying that the members had walked out in pro test at the existing constitution, and the introduction of the ministerial system under it. The statement said they proposed to resort to non-co operation.

Fiji’s new Chief Minister, Ratu K.

K. T. Mara, must have decided there is no crisis, as today he left Fiji by air (a day later than planned earlier) for a global trip in which he will examine conditions of newly inde pendent countries and have talks in America and Britain (details p. 20).

Should the Federation Party mem bers be absent from the Legislative Council for two consecutive meetings without permission they will be dis qualified as members, and by-elections will have to follow.

Mr. A. D. Patel.