Pacific Islands Monthly

Dominion status, sweet reason predicted for Fiji, 1970

Roundup by R. W. ROBSON and staff writers.

There has been a notable change in the political situation in Fiji, and in the constitutional outlook in recent months. It is prob able that Fiji soon will move from the status of British Crown Colony to that of a self-governing Dominion within the British Commonwealth.

In the opinion of well-informed people in Fiji, it is possible that, following a Constitutional Conference with the British authority, the change will be approved and accept ed before the end of 1970.

The change could be expedited by the arrival in Suva late in January of Lord Shepherd, the British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. If general agreement regarding a new or amended Constitution could be reached during his visit, it might not be necessary for a Fiji constitutional delegation to go to London later this year; or if it does go, it may be as early as March or April.

A number of factors contributed to recent developments. Briefly stated, and in their chronological order, they were as follows:

East of Suez

• Uncertainty about the future of Fiji became apparent several years ago when, following Britain’s de cision to transfer her colonies and protected territories to the care of the indigenous inhabitants, she formally announced that, early in the 1970’5, she would withdraw her armed forces from all regions east wards of Suez. This, of course, in cluded colonies and protectorates in the Pacific. • About the same time, a section of the Fiji Indians (who now num ber about half of Fiji’s total esti mated population of half a million) stepped up their anti-British agitation, accompanied by a vociferous demand for complete independence and a common roll. • Because they feared that a common roll would mean political

and economic domination by the In dians, the demand was rejected by the Fijians, Europeans, part-Euro peans, Chinese and some Indian representatives at the Constitutional Conference in London in July, 1965; and the present Constitution (which provides a Legislative Council based on communal rolls, and a large measure of self-government by a European - Fijian - Indian Ministry) came into operation in 1966. © A large section of the Indians, calling itself the Federation Party, from 1965, continued its agi tation against British control and the new Constitution, and demanded the common roll. Its nine elected mem-

bers boycotted the Legislative Coun cil, and the consequent by-elections were marked by political and racial squabbling so bitter that much anti- Indian feeling was created among the Fijians. • Meanwhile, a Fijian chief of outstanding ability, Ratu Mara (since knighted) became Chief Minister, and his team of Ministers (which in cludes three non-Federation Indians) has given the colony efficient and progressive administration, and economic advancement. e During 1967-68 there appeared to be irreconcilable differences be tween the Alliance (a party of all races, including many Indians, which supports the Mara Government) and the anti-European Indian Federation.

Influence for peace

• It is believed that Britain then sought the help of New Delhi in an attempt to put an end to this dan gerous political and racial strife in Fiji. High-ranking British officials visited Fiji. The Indian Government in 1969 sent to Suva a skilled and experienced diplomat, Mr. A. P Venkateswaran, to fill the post oi Indian Commissioner in Fiji. He had been India’s representative in Ethio pia, Czechoslovakia, Soviet Russia and Western Germany. His influence has been strongly for compromise anc peace. • The death of the Federatioi Party leader, Mr. A. D. Patel, lab in 1969, was a factor in a changinj situation. Mr. Patel had had privab conversations with Ratu Sir Kami sese Mara, earlier in 1969, whicl gave some hope of better inter racial relations; but he was regarded as uncompromisingly anti-British an* pro-common roll.

Worthwhile future

• Mr. S. M. Koya became leade of the Federation Party late i 1969, and the political atmospher appeared to improve thereafter. H always has been fiercely pro-India and pro-common roll. But it is b< lieved that, unlike Mr. Patel, h has seen some merit in the argumei put to him that, in view of tl international situation, there can 1 no worth-while future for Fiji unlei it goes forward in racial harmon and in close co-operation with Britis Commonwealth and American inte ests in the Pacific.

After so much political turmo there was some rejoicing in F during January, when the followu

Lord Shepherd.

very cautious official announcements were made; 1. A large measure of agreement lad been reached by the leaders of he Alliance and Federation Parties representing all races) regarding he terms of a new constitution (or imendments to the present one), to >e presented at a conference under he auspices of the British Govern nent later this year. 2. A Press release on January 14, >n Alliance-Federation talks, author ed by the Government, said: “It vas agreed that the Chief Minister hould report to the Council of Chiefs the views which had been xpressed on the proposition for an Jpper Chamber, and that he would Iso indicate to the Council the incere sympathy of the National ederation Party in regard to the afeguarding of Fijian interests under he present constitution.” 3. It is proposed that, in addition 3 an elected Legislative Council, lere shall be an “Upper Chamber”, ut no concrete proposals covering ic membership of such a Chamber 411 be made until the Chief Minis

ter has discussed the matter with the Fijian Council of Chiefs (who were to meet on January 20). It was stated officially that “a continuing safeguard of Fiji interests under the new Constitution could be provided by representation of the Council of Chiefs in the Upper Chamber.” 4. The official statement said that when representatives of the Alliance and Federation Parties on January 13 resumed their private discussions “in a harmonious atmosphere”, the sub jects included the method of electing members of the Legislative Council.

Discussion on this subject had been postponed, pending the submission of written papers by both parties on representation and the composition of the Legislature. [Unofficial opinion in Suva is that this could be the crucial part of the discussions, which have been going on since September, 1969.] The statement added that no con crete proposals for membership of the Upper Chamber would be made until the Council of Chiefs gave its views. 5. External affairs and defence have been “touched on” at the inter party talks; but it was decided to publish nothing about these subjects prior to discussions with the British Government. [ln British self-governing territories, external affairs, defence and certain aspects of external finance usually are controlled by the British-appointed

Governor, If Fiji is to seek “Domin ion” status, such matters probably would have to be negotiated with Britain. It is presumed that a “Dominion of Fiji” would have a British Governor.]

Spirit of goodwill

Earlier, in their New Year mes sages to the nation, both Ratu Sir Kamisese and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. M. Koya, spoke of 1970 as the year which should herald a new constitutional order.

Both leaders praised the spirit of goodwill and co-operation which had prevailed during the talks between the two parties. Their predictions were parallel, Mr. Koya said: “1970 may well see the fruition of our constitutional talks. We might well find ourselves in a posi tion where we are given the respon sibility of managing our own affairs without outside interference.”

Ratu Sir Kamisese put it this way: “I look forward with confidence to 1970 as a historic year for this country and a year which offers great prizes to be won in the fields of constitutional advance.”

Ratu Sir Kamisese said there was no reason why the present co-opera tion and talks between the two parties should not extend beyond discussion of constitutional matters.

“There are many broad areas of (Continued on p. 130)

policy where there must be a close identification of view between the Government and the Opposition in their joint aim of the country’s wel fare.”

Mr. Koya, while predicting the end of an old order and the emergence of a new in Fiji, urged expatriates and temporary citizens not to be con cerned.

“This should not cause any anxiety in the minds of those who are residing here temporarily, including the expatriate civil servants,” he said.

Fiji had in the past given protection to expatriate civil servants and businessmen alike.

“I feel therefore that so long as they adapt themselves to the changing conditions of the time, and work for the welfare of this country, they need not fear that their interests will be in any way placed in jeopardy.”

Although the report by Lord Denning deals mostly with the sugar industry, the findings of this arbitrator could have a big effect on the political situation in Fiji.

As cane-growers and mill workers support the Federation, it was felt that if the “wild men” of the Federa tion did not like the report, which is supposed to provide a blue-print for the future of the Fiji sugar industry, they could wreck the harmony of the constitutional talks.

Lord Denning’s report was re leased in Fiji on January 27 (see page 23), on the day that this issue of Pacific Islands Monthly went to press.

Although there was therefore no time to judge the reactions to the re port in Fiji, it seemed, on the face of it, that not even the wild boys among sugar growers could have hoped for anything more favourable to their cause.

What the millers—meaning South Pacific Sugar Mills—feel is another matter.