Festivities

Everywhere

Fiji people also celebrated in

dependence in London, Sydney

and New Zealand as well as in many parts of the Pacific.

The London celebrations were the only official ones outside of Suva, and they were very formal. There was a religious service at West minster Abbey, followed by a diplo matic reception at Marlborough House by Fiji’s High Commissioner in London. At the abbey service, Fiji’s new flag was blessed after being borne into the abbey by Ratu Dreunamisimisi, wearing the uniform of the FMF.

In Sydney more than 600 Fijians, Indians, Chinese and Pacific Islanders celebrated independence at a formal ceremony at Paddington Town Hall, then let their hair down at a feast and dancing which continued until the early hours. Guest of honour was Fiji-born Mr. R, M. Major, who is Fiji representative in Australia until the new High Commission is established in Canberra. Mr. Major retires at the end of the year and expects to go into commerce in Sydney.

One of the speakers at the Sydney function was, unexpectedly, the Leader of the Federal Opposition, Mr. Gough Whitlam, who said: “Fiji is an economic dependency of Aus tralia and Australia must look at her trade and migration policies as they affect her neighbours. People and products must have greater access to Australia than hitherto.” He added: “As Fiji has gone, so New Guinea and New Caledonia will soon follow.”

Chairman of the Sydney celebra tions committee was Mr, George Jackson, a Fijian boilermaker who has lived for 26 years in Sydney.

In the New Hebrides, Fijians were hosts to hundreds of guests, and Christian thanksgiving services were held in Vila and Santo. At a cele bration in NZ, 400 people were guests of the University of Canter bury Fiji Students’ Society, Christ church. Fijians at present working in Canterbury, grubbing tussock, per formed dances.