Anyone You Can Smear

I Can Smear Better

The Public Order debate in Fiji's Legislative Council could almost be described as a kitchen sink musical . . .

Few bills debated recently in Fiji’s Legislative Council have given rise to such ill-feeling and virulent personal attacks as did the Public Order Bill, before the House in May.

Tempers ran hot during the six day debate. And lazily spinning ceiling fans did little to cool the atmosphere as strong words like “anti-white racialists”, “legal and political dictator”, “repressive” and “dirty” flew back and forth across the floor.

The bill, which was approved on May 20, provides that permits must be obtained before any meeting or procession in a public place. It bans the use of uniforms by political parties and prevents publication of matter likely to incite violence or stir up racial hatred.

As the Attorney-General, Mr.

Justin Lewis, chose to put it, these measures were aimed at “the most foul and disgusting libels and racial incitement” and would “actively discourage secret and subversive elements in relation to racial dis crimination”.

White supremacy ...

The race issue dominated much of the debate, with the Opposition attacking “white supremacy” in Fiji and the Minister for Communica tions, Works and Tourism, Mr.

Charles Stinson, accusing Opposition member, Mr. K. C. Ramrakha, of being so completely anti-white that his statements had become warped and biased.

The Minister attacked Mr.

Ramrakha’s association with the National Federation Party news papers, Pacific Review and Jagriti.

He warned that Fiji could be plunged into the same plight as Malaysia if attempts to damage the country’s race relations were not stopped.

Mr. Stinson was then himself accused by Mr. Ujagar Singh (Opposition) of being a racist of the first order.

Opposition speakers claimed that the provisions of the bill represented an attempt to maintain white supremacy. Mr. J. Madhavan said it

was time for white supremacy in Fiji to be tackled.

Government member, Mr. W. M.

Barrett, wondered whether attacks on Europeans during the debate signalled the start of a “Think Black movement in Fiji”.

... or black supremacy?

The Chief Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, pointed out that apart from one or two provisions the bill was merely a consolidation of existing legislation. He said race hatred being fomented by some news papers—he meant Pacific Review and Jagriti —had created the need for the new provisions.

Despite attempts from both sides of the House to pour oil on the troubled waters, and appeals for an

end to language which “would lead to chaos”, the Opposition was con sistent in its claims that the new legislation would cut at the freedom of the individual and curtail the activities of the National Federation Party.

Government members argued that it was better to introduce the bill while there was peace and stability in Fiji, than to wait for a time of violence, when it might be too late.

Lovely

Bunch Of

Coconuts

Brightly labelled cartons of Fiji coco nuts have become a familiar sight at Suva's wharves. More consignments are being loaded aboard the big liners for export to Hawaii and the American main land, where they are being used for con fectionery, or being sold at supermarkets.

They're even turning up in Australia and Canada. The largest consignment yet 1,500 sacks and 200 cartons containing more than 140,000 coconuts mainly from Taveuni and Lau went in three ships at the end of April and early May.

Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.