The Editor's Mailbag

In Defence Of Fiji

In PlM’s April issue (p. 25) Mr Clive Sadleir rejects the constructive and, to my mind, gentle criticism of current tourist facilities in Fiji made by ‘A Sydney Travel Agent’ (PIM, Feb. p. 29).

Mr Sadleir’s letter was headed Tn Defence of Fiji’, but I suggest that it is precisely this negative form of support which is not only inhibiting but reversing the advancement of Fiji as a modern Pacific nation.

Almost all the points made by the Sydney Travel Agent (Mr X) are valid and I would imagine that the reason he wishes to remain anonymous is to avoid the wrath of anti-critics in his future dealings with Fiji and he is wise to do so. Mr Sadleir no doubt has an equally good reason for public flag waving. Mr X stated that the tourist cannot fully enjoy the local at mosphere, stuck away in a 20-storey stereo model modern hotel. Mr Sadleir complete ly misses the point by protesting that there are no 20-storey hotels in Fiji.

Mr X remarks that the taxi trade for tourists in Fiji is a ‘rip-off. Mr S Disputes this. Apparently Mr S is unaware that taxi meters are often not activated, that the un suspecting tourist is often taken for a detour of several miles to reach his destina tion less than one mile away.

The possibility of being robbed in Fiji in broad daylight is scoffed at by Mr S and I cannot imagine why.

Perhaps, like many of the working whites in Fiji he dwells in an ivory tower and is removed from the sordid facts as they really are. Records clearly show that tourists have been assaulted, robbed, raped and, less frequently, murdered at various hours of the day and night to a far greater extent (in proportion) than tourists let us say, in New Zealand, or the Gold Coast of Queensland.

In March last year a message by the police was sent out through Radio Fiji warning people in Suva to keep off the streets after sundown and we assume that they did not take this action lightly.

For Mr S to comment that similar situations exist in parts of Australia does not diminish, excuse or nullify in any way the charge made by Mr X which is factual, as is the charge that drink today in Fiji is a serious and increasing problem.

It is a fact that today’s visitor to Fiji is not infrequently intimidated and ‘hard

shouldered’ by local drunks. If Mr S. does not believe this, I suggest that he visits the hotels and places of entertainment where the tourist is expected to find night recrea tion to see for himself.

Mr X suggests positive means of preven ting the continuing run-down of the tourist industry in Fiji. Mr S opines incredibly, that the run down is probably ‘a good thing’, because this will cull out the inef ficient. I wonder whether Mr S realises the damage that has already been done to Fi ji’s investment image by inept administra tion, by open discrimination against overseas ‘so-called ex-patriate’ business operators and by broken departmental promises. If he is not aware of the dis astrous effect that these have had on business development in Fiji, I suggest that he goes along to the Government Bureau of Statistics at Nasese in Suva and gets some figures and facts first-hand from the

people there.

Mr S comments that the famous Fijian smile is tending to disappear due to realisa tion that Australians and New Zealanders can and often do earn more than three times as much as the average Fijian. The relevance of this comment to the question of poor tourist facilities excapes me. Is Mr S suggesting that the tourist shall apologize for advanced productivity at home and for his economic good fortune?

Mr S states that there will be an upturn within a few months in tourist traffic in Fiji, but he does not give his reasons for such blithe optimism and he concludes his letter by saying that Fiji is changing and that its beauty remains untouched.

Such time-worn platitudes surely do nothing to advance Fiji’s lot, in fact, I suggest that it is largely this ‘head in sand’ attitude that is responsible for the current technological, industrial and commercial near-vacuum in Fiji, also for the impres sion given to visiting Europeans by the ad ministration that they are ‘persona non grata.’

I suggest that as an Australian Travel Agent, Mr X is in a position to be far more aware of what tourism should stand for and of its problems than Mr S. I suggest Mr X acted with good intentions by pointing out existing flaws and that Mr S might serve the interests of Fiji better by viewing the problem objectively (and after

research) and possibly, by having the moral stamina to point out to the govern ment that the image of Fiji from a tourist, investment and economy standpoint is

deteriorating and deteriorating rapidly.

All the evidence and signs are available and obvious. Sweeping them under the carpet can only increase their dimensions.

A few constructive, albeit unpopular suggestions which I would make, were I permitted, would be as follows: • Put an end to the Indian ‘All Strata’ control of ministries, set up fast-moving avenues of court appeal against corruption and bias and procrastination as may come to light and punish with extreme severity public servants who may be found to be responsible. Bring in a few impartial, qualified experts to advise the ministers, experts who have no business connection or relatives involved in business in Fiji. • Examine closely the adequacy, com mercial experience and qualifications of those administering and working for the Fiji Visitors Bureau. • Rationalise the application of localisa tion policy, which at present is unrealistic, over-restrictive and works overwhelmingly to the advantage of the Indian and Euro

pean Fijian nationals only, by excluding

any real and dynamic competition. In its present form, localisation benefits to the Fijian have been and are likely to be negligible if at all. • Examine the effectiveness and tangible achievements of the Fiji Development Bank during the past few years. • Change current policy to permit Fijian hotel management personnel and staff members to obtain professional overseas training, even if this is only for a limited duration to develop a nucleus of qualified personnel in a position to pass on their ex pertise to Fijian hotel staff personnel who may follow. • Encourage constructive criticism from all sources and consider its possible merit and justification without prejudice.

I have written this letter objectively with no ‘axe to grind’ in the sincere hope that you can find space to publish it, and so generate further thought and comment concerning this topic, which is of such vital importance to the interest of Fiji.

Wynnum West, Qld.

Bill Dennis

The Sydney travel agent, author of an article about tourism in the Pacific (PIM, Feb., p. 29) apparently feels that the ma jority Australians who visit the Pacific Islands as tourists wish to see an island of their dreams “of blue skies, white beaches and waving coconut palms”. He then suggests that the Island people make an ef fort to maintain the tourists’ romantic view by somehow conspiring to live in a picture postcard. That this is impossible should be obvious.

Letters

But even if it were possible it would be both wrong and detrimental to both the tourist and the host country.

The reasons why people travel as tourists are mainly twofold; for rest and relaxation and to learn about the place they visit. The first can be done easily enough, for example by checking into a large city hotel and relaxing. The main reason for travelling to a different country, for example an Australian tourist visiting a Pacific Island, should then be mainly educational. To wish to learn a lie, as your author suggests, seems to me to be detrimental to the tourist. And for a travel agent, who has some influence on where and why people travel as tourists, to suggest this is doubly wrong.

Tourists are a necessary evil, especially for developing countries. The only reason they are permitted to exist is as a source of

foreign dollars.

If a tourist has his dreams shattered by a visit to the reality of the Pacific Islands it’s hardly the Islands’ fault. That they are places of real people living real lives not just “blue skies and white beaches’’ should surprise no one with any sense. For the Pacific countries to change just for the benefit of the tourists would both con tribute to a lie and, more importantly, be a waste of already heavily-taxed resources.

The fact that most tourists are only marginally interested in learning anything about the country they visit makes it even less desirable to cater to their whims. Most tourists that I saw during my years in Suva were interested in only two things, the quality of their hotel and where they could purchase the cheapest radio or camera. Of the country and its inhabitants they couldn’t care less. Combining this and the fact that their sole benefit is their money, which they so often flaunt, is it any wonder that many people in developing countries, the Pacific included, treat tourists as easy sources of money?

Toronto, Canada

David Pike

A Doormat

Santo, the largest island and biggest (80%) producing centre in the New Hebrides has over the years been con sidered the most turbulent and aggressive.

With just reason.

Apart from import tax, native and ex patriate producers also pay export tax, the bulk of which is invariably swallowed up by the capital, Vila, and very little left over for Santo’s development.

More recently, since the advent of inter

nal politics, Santo natives have shown force while objecting to demonstrations and marches held by parties which com prise OUTER-island natives and their leaders.

It it any wonder that a certain local political party demanded immediate in dependence for Santo alone?

How would the Tannese, Malekulans and Vila natives feel if Santoites demonstrated and marched through their towns or villages?

So let us be fair and ponder over in justices, even rudeness, of outer-islanders and both governments who appear to use Santo as a convenient door-mat without as much as a “beg your pardon”.

Santo

W.Tevi

Guadalcanal Visit

As Tour Organiser for the Marine ’75 “Sentimental Journey” II to the South Pacific may I take this opportunity to ex press our thanks and appreciation for the excellent PIM article (February issue) en titled “U.S. Marines at Guadalcanal Again” by Michael McCoy (PIM, February, p. 37). It was indeed quite an “emotional” experience for all of us who were returning again for the first time since 1942!

May we request permission to quote ex cerpts from Michael McCoy’s article for inclusion in upcoming issues of Ist Marine Division’s publication “The Old Breed News”, and our own quarterly ‘newsletter”? We feel certain members of both associations will appreciate hearing and learning more about Guadalcanal “now”.

Brunswick, Maine

Al Bonney

Women's Lib

I was very interested in the article about the meeting held by women in Fiji (PIM Feb 1976 p. 67). Having just moved to New Zealand from the US I find that the issue of women’s rights is still in a somewhat infantile form “down under” a wife is always an adjunct to her husband, a woman must use either Mrs or Miss before her name. The article in PIM did seem to point up the fact that no matter how much national identity, ethnic pride, or whatever an Oceanic nation may have, the leaders, mainly men (eg Sir Albert Henry), see women as distinctly second class citizens. I hope to see more articles of the so-called “Women’s Lib” theme in PIM, especially those relating to South Pacific women breaking the chains that bind them!

Charlene Gregory

Auckland, New Zealand.