Reporter may be a witness at Fiji trial

Press, 22 April 1977, Page 4

Reporter may be a witness at Fiji trial

From Les Bloxham in Suva

An Auckland reporter who supplied his newspaper with a "grossly distorted” account of the political situation in Fiji may be called as a witness for the prosecution at the trial of the Fijian Nationalist Party leader (Mr Sakeasi Butadroka). Mr Butadroka faces charges of inciting racial antagonism, and is being held in Suva Jail. An application for bail was refused after a hearing in chambers by the Chief Justice of Fiji (Mr Justice Grant) yesterday. In an interview with Jim Tully, a staff reporter of the “Auckland Star,” Mr Butadroka asserted that bloodshed was the only alternative to an all-Fijian Parliament, “The people are ready for mass murder,” he is reported to have said.

The “Auckland Star” ran the interview as its front page lead story on April 7, under the heading: “Bloodshed, mass murder near says Fiji leader.” Mr Butadroka was arrested two days later, but the charges relate to statements allegedly made at a public meeting. He faces a maximum jail sentence of two years and a half, and

may be forced to resign his recently won seat in Parliament.

Mr Tully, according to Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister (Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau) may be subpoenaed to give evidence at the trial.

The interview created a storm in Fiji. New Zeal* id expatriates soon received calls from relatives back home, anxious about their safety, and the Fiji Visitors’ Bureau had to reassure several travel agents and tour organisers that the friendly isles were, in fact, still living up to their name. Several letters of protest have been sent to the “Auckland Star,” and Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau said yesterday that he hoped “The Press” would put the record straight in New Zealand.

"The report was deplorable, and certainly does not reflect the true situation,” he said. “These were simply wild statements by one man, and they have given the people of New Zealand a grossly distorted view of the political situation in Fiji.”

Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau said that he was confident Mr Butadroka’s statement would not be supported by

the people of Fiji.

Asked whether there was any possibility a small group of extremists within the Fijian Nationalist Party could carry out the threats made by Mr Butadroka, he said: “They have had the opportunity, but it has not happened, and it will not happen.” The general manager of the Fiji Visitors’ Bureau (Mr Paddy Doyle) described the report as a “very serious thing.”

“This man probably did say what he is reported to have said, but it is rather like reporting an entire British election from the viewpoint of someone like Enoch Powell.”

Supporters of the Indian National Federation Party were also upset, and members have agreed with the Deputy Prime Minister that there is no chance of an outbreak of racial violence. The Suva Chamber of Commerce decided at its monthly meeting this week to condemn the report. “We were shocked that the views of only one man were reported,” said the secretary (Mr Tom Hill). “It was an unbalanced story. For Fiji, it was a shocking front page,” he said.