Full self-governing Fiji

is inevitable'

From a Suva correspondent Stresssing the constructive policies of his own Alliance Party and the destructive aims of the Federation—“lf they are the party of smashing down, we are the party of building up”— Fiji’s Chief Minister, Ratu K. K. T. Mara, talked during last month’s policy speech of the inevitability of a fully self

governing Fiji.

But he was adamant about the need to maintain Fiji’s link with the British Crown. “Reckless and irresponsible men,” he said, “would not stampede the government into pointless and harmful courses.” He dismissed the Federation Party’s contention that it will smash the Constitution as being another way of saying that its members were “bankrupt of ideas and believe only in destruction”.

Full self-government, said Ratu Mara, would follow “ordered and systematic handover of power”, without “chaos and anarchy in the streets”.

He told delegates at the Alliance Party convention at Lautoka that the party was itself re-drafting the Constitution to meet the needs of the self-governing Fiji which was not now far off m* . , . , The delegates (over 700) unammously approved a resolution calling for more constitutional talks with Britain before the Fiji general elections in 1971. The 11 aims outlined by the Chief Minister as Alliance Party policy were. • A steady, progressive move towards internal self-government, main-

taining Fiji’s links with the British Crown. • The welding together of one nation, while recognising and respect ing the different cultures, traditions and special contributions of Fiji’s richly-varied communities, • The most vigorous prosecution of economic development, having re gard to the needs and aspirations of the people. • The encouragement of new in diistries and investment. • A rapidly expanding tourist in dustry, with the widest possible spread °I * ts benefits. • The closest attention to the Zltj* T t i ndustry ’ both internationally and at home, Social justice and educational opportunities for all.

Accelerated localisation to give FlJl& P eo P le the opportunities their education fitted them for, and a bigger share in shaping the country’s future * improved health services. « Improved roads, postal and tele communication services and shipping, • Vigorous encouragement and assistance to the co-operative move ment.

Several of these are predictably

restrained, lacking the glitter of Federation Party leader, Mr. A. D.

Patel’s golden promises of free educa tion for all children, free medical service, old age pensions and so on.

It is not a platform with much oomph or appeal for the individual, as is Mr. Patel’s, but it is far more credible. Whether the poorer people will be tempted by the glitter or settle for the solid, unsensational assurances of the Alliance Party is being decided as this issue of PIM goes to press. (Polling in the by election to fill the nine Legislative Council seats forfeited last September by the Opposition begins on August 31 and continues until September 7).

Party seeks affiliation

In a pre-election development, the National Democratic Party—a pre dominantly Fijian political organisa tion which claims membership of over s,ooo—decided to seek affilia tion with the Federation Party.

The party’s general secretary, Mr.

Apisai Tora, said implementation of the decision would depend on negotiations between the NDP’s executive committee and the Federa tion Party on matters of policy.

Mr. Tora told more than 100 delegates at a National Democratic Party meeting at Naboutini on August 14 that he favoured affilia tion with a large political party.

The party’s president, Mr, Isikeli Nadalo, said the Alliance Party had held the helm of government for two years with no sign of progress seen or felt and that other races in the colony were enjoying the liberty of full national rights, were well educated, financially stable and politically mature.

A. D. Patel.