Into Opposition

Fiji Flare-Up As

Indians Sweep Back

From SUE WENDT, in Suva The still unanswered question of whether the newly-elected Opposition intends to walk out of Fiji’s Legislative Council again was overshadowed in September by the wave of anti- Federation Party feeling which flared after the results of the by-elections became known.

At mass meetings throughout the colony, thousands of Fijians have exhibited a disturbing and fierce emotionalism, prompted by un certainty over the future and sheer outrage at the Federation Party’s con tention that it now has a mandate to push for immediate independence for Fiji, and common roll.

For Alliance supporters, the results of the September elections were a rude shock—a landslide vistory for the Federation Party in all nine seats.

And with a greater majority than in the 1966 elections. Of the 59,786 Indians who voted (75,973 were eligible to do so) 46,960 gave their support to the Federation, leaving an ineffectual 12,826 votes for the Alliance. The percentage of votes for the nine seats averaged just over 80 per cent, for Federation candi dates far better than in the general election.

Was it fear?

There has been much speculation over the reasons behind the 16,000 non-votes —was it fear of being branded traitors to their race if they cast their votes for the Alliance?

Was it uncertainty—or simply dis interest and apathy? But the fact re mains that the Alliance cannot depend upon these 16,000 votes in future elections.

Another fact emerged. The Federa tion Party can no longer argue, when advocating common roll, that dissension between the various sects of the Indian community will prevent wholesale Indian rule for Fiji. The by-elections proved that in matters of national and racial interest, a significant proportion of the Indian community will act as one.

The colony-wide meetings, called by the Fijian Association in an effort to discover Fijian opinion on inde pendence and common roll, began a

few days after the elections, in an atmosphere of snowballing tension and anger.

The first, chaired by the Vunivalu of Bau, Ratu George Cakobau, was in Suva. Resentment over the Federa tion Party’s criticism of the Chief Minister, Ratu K. K. T. Mara, was aired. There were calls for the im mediate deportation of all Indians in Fiji and particularly the Federation president, Mr. A. D. Patel. Speakers demanded the return of land to Fijian hands.

In a strongly-worded statement, the Fijian Association delivered a warn ing—“No further abuse levelled against Fijian chiefs and traditions by the Federation Party will be tolerated as of now”—and expressed strong views against the Federation’s per

sistent demands for immediate inc pendence and common roll.

“Fijians insist that the control the country should be returned Fijian hands, by force if necessary, it stressed.

Ultimatum

Since the meeting had been chair by Ratu George Cakobau, it seem that this no-nonsense ultimatum a its threat of force had the offic approval of not only the 2,000 Fijia who attended, but at least one their normally pacific leaders. But week or so later, at another meeti of more than 2,000 Fijians at Nausc Ratu George made an appeal agaii violence. He pointed out that soi Indians were not anti-Fijian and tl they subscribed to Fijian idea “These are the people we cam drive away from Fiji,” he declarec Other Fijian leaders also warn against attempts to solve the politii impasse with violence. Nevertheli the tension continued and anxh over what might happen ran deep.

There were isolated incidents stone-throwing and abuse of India] The Lautoka and District Taxi Uni announced that it was banning nij work because members’ cars, pai cularly those driven by Indians, h been stoned at night.

Who was doing the stone-throwi was not specified, but in the Navi area of Lautoka, two police cars one reported to belong to an Indi senior inspector and the other to

jian Special Branch inspector—had sir windscreens smashed in separate eidents.

Such attacks threatened to become discriminatory. Hooligans were imed, but the culprits remained isive.

There were reports of Indians seek \ police protection without having fered actual attack. Indians living the isolated Lau Group must have serienced trepidation when a letter peared in The Fiji Times urging it they be the first to hand back :ir estates to Fijians. ‘lf their fellow Indians in Viti vu will not respect our Chief, then igration away from Lau would be better future policy for them to low . . .” said the writer. Lau is home of Chief Minister Ratu K. T. Mara.

Demands

\t other meetings throughout the ony, resolutions were passed nanding the repeal of the Agri tural Landlord and Tenants Ordi ice; the rejection of a common I until the Fijian leaders asked it; a ban on the recruitment of ians into the Fijian Military *ces and increased Fijian repre tation in the Council of Ministers.

Speakers declared opposition to appointment of Indian members the Native Land Trust Board and ed for the appointment of a Fijian head of the Ministry of Natural ;ources. One resolution urged the ouragement of Fijians as taxi rators and shopowners and another gested a campaign to unite the an race under the guidance of Fijian Association, federation Party followers des eed these anti-Federation demon tions as the result of last-ditch Tts to stir up Alliance support, •eby improving the party’s image the eyes of the UK and the ted Nations. They claimed that ance leaders were concerned lest outside world should realise that was ruled by vested interests, he fervent nationalism seen at Fijian gatherings was deliberately yoked, claimed Federation sup ers, because the by-election re ed in a vote of no confidence for Government. The meetings didn’t !ly mirror Fijian feeling, they —the only way to discover that for the Alliance to declare the Fijian seats vacant (this last by tion was for the Indian seats) and e another by-election, he Federation paper, the Pacific iew, accused the governing party employing a psychology of fear, uing the Fijian people with a

belief that the Indians sought to take their land. This, said the news paper, was one of the most misunder stood aspects of the Federation’s demands for equal land rights for Indians.

It rejected as “absurd allegations” the firmly-held belief of Alliance supporters that the Federation Indians aimed to eject Europeans from Fiji— and asserted that the Federation Party did not want complete severance of ties with Britain. It advocated political independence only —so that the country “could deal with Australian business interests on an equal footing, instead of being subjugated by them”.

"General elections"

The by-elections were the first step in the “march to nationhood,” claimed the Federation Party—the next step was a call for general elections. At a public meeting in Suva, Mr. A. D. Patel urged the establishment of a “freedom fighting fund” to assist the party to pursue its aims.

Whether or not general elections are held sooner than anticipated, it’s clear that not only Fiji’s political future but its industries and economy will be jeopardised if both parties continue on their present collision course.

Fiji’s “march to nationhood” (peacefully) is so largely dependent upon the confidence and goodwill engendered by political stability that the effect of racial upheaval—even the threat •of it—would be at least temporarily disastrous to develop ment.

Are bags packed?

More than one European with money in the colony has talked lately of packing bags and booking open air tickets, to be used in the event of real trouble. While it’s important not to over-dramatise isolated incidents of violence, it’s equally important to remember that though thoughts of departure may be voiced lightly, they do exist in the minds of some.

The use of force—from any direc tion at all—would do everything towards intensifying Fiji’s problems.

And the continued vilification of public figures by supporters of either party could very effectively ignite a potentially explosive situation.

It is as imperative for those who react with unthinking anger to adopt a rational, clear-headed approach towards peaceful solution as it is for Federation Party Indians to desist from their avowed intention of bull dozing the country into premature constitutional changes and inde pendence.