Fiji to review migrant policy

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33527, 7 May 1974, Page 15

Fiji to review migrant policy

(By

A JAY SINGH)

The Fijian Parliament has passed a resolution calling for the review of its immigration policy. The original version of the resolution was moved by Mr M. Apisai Tora, an Opposition member of Parliament and a prominent labour leader, who has been an outspoken critic of what he calls Australia’s and New Zealand’s “racist immigration” policies.

Although New Zealand also came under criticism during the debate, the attack was directed mainly at the Australian Government’s lifting of the “easy visa” system under which people from the Pacific islands could come in as tourists for a short stay.

The main cause for concern was the recent deportation of 20 Fijians from Australia. They had come as

visitors and did not have any money. It was believed that they were misusing their visitors’ permits and were planning to work during their stay. It was also discovered that the travel agency that had arranged their visit had direct connections with Mr Tora.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr M. S. Koya, said that “Australia had deported the Fijians under intolerable conditions.” The. resolution was eventually passed with the deletion of the word “racist.” The Prime Minister of Fiji (Ratu Sir K. T. T. Mara) supported the amended version of the resolution, saying that even if 20 misled Fijians had misused the “easy visa” system, the Australian Government should not have been so hasty in removing it. He said that during the meeting of the South Pacific Forum at Rarotonga, Cook Islands, the topic had been discussed and he had been assured by the Australians that they would review the lifting of the visa system.