land development

Fiji Chiefs want to see report on land development

Land development schemes,

the mysterious report on the

registration of Fijian landowners,

and the Fiji Constitution were among matters discussed by the Great Council of Chiefs in

February.

The landowner registration report is one which the Fijian Affairs Board has asked Liberal Party leader Dr. L. Verrier to furnish in the past, to show his progress in registering Fijian landowners.

Dr. Verrier undertook to do the work—at a salary of $3,400 a year, later reduced to $2,000 —when he retired from the civil service. Before that, as a hobby during his years as a government medical officer in Macuata, Bua and Cakaudrove, he had carried out a registration of Fijian landowners in these areas.

The Council of Chiefs expressed concern about Dr. Verrier’s work and urged that action should be taken and that he be asked to make a report on his progress.

After lengthy discussion, the council decided to ask the Fijian Affairs Board to request that Dr.

Verrier make a report available. If it was not forthcoming, the govern ment would be asked to terminate his contract.

Criticism

Dr. Verrier’s original intention was to improve the method of re gistration of Fijian landowners; to investigate the reasons why some Fijians have not been registered; and, if possible, to register the latter and train staff with a view to their taking over the registration system.

On the matter of land development schemes, there was criticism in the council of the degree of regimentation and management.

In a report to the council, a com mittee which included the Minister for Social Services and the Assistant Minister for Communications, Works and Tourism, said the planned way of life in such schemes would arouse a rebellious attitude among settlers.

“We understand that government has been re-examining its machinery for rural development and remedial measures are in the process of formulation,” the report said.

The Press was excluded from the discussions on constitutional matters.