says Fiji

We're partners in the Pacific, says Fiji

What was regarded as political paternalism by a former Austra lian cabinet minister was criti cised in Fiji in February.

Mr. Peter Howson, former Aus tralian Minister for Air, speaking on NZ radio, said, “It is Australia and New Zealand’s task to take over re sponsibility for these new nations in the Pacific particularly because Bri tain is quietly getting out of its re sponsibilities in the area.”

He and Mr. Hugh Watt, Deputy Leader of the NZ Labour Opposition, supported the formation of a Pacific parliamentary union which would ultimately become a body which made recommendations to govern ments. Political contacts would not be confined to exchanges between ministers, they said; parliaments would be involved.

There was a need for meetings of policy makers to guide bodies like the South Pacific Commission.

Mr. Howson and Mr, Watt had been attending a regional conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Wellington, at which the idea was discussed.

Fiji’s governing Alliance Party ap peared interested in the idea of a parliamentary union. However, the way in which the proposals were couched annoyed Fiji’s Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. M. Koya.

He said in Suva he had “grave reservations” about the proposals.

“They are assuming that because Bri tain is pulling out from the Pacific, they should take the role of Great Britain,” he said. “This is wholly unacceptable to me. This would be another form of imperialism as far I am concerned.

“The sooner Australia and New Zealand realise we are sovereign and independent countries, the better it will be for all of us, because we can start talking. They still treat us like a colony and dependent on them.”

Mr. Koya said NZ and Australia should act as partners with the Paci fic countries.

An Alliance spokesman said the interest of the CPA was welcome and the Alliance would wait to study its final proposals.

“However, as Fiji is now an inde pendent country, the relationship between the dominion and Australia and New Zealand is now one of part nership and co-operation,” he said.