Politics of Fiji

Press, 24 May 1977, Page 17

Politics of Fiji

“Perspective” on S.P.T. tonight will visit Fiji, a country long considered to be a multi-racial South Pacific paradise but whose racial harmony now seems threatened. For 11 years Fiji has been governed by the Alliance Party, which drew its support from both Fijian natives and the Indian majority. In this year’s election the situation changed. Indian voters deserted the Alliance Party in large numbers to vote for the India n-led Federation Party; and many Fijian natives switched their support to the Nationalist Party, whose catch cry is: Fiji for the Fijians.” With its support split, the Alliance Party was outvoted by the Indiandominated Federationists, and although the former remains the government, it seems certain it cannot survive the year. “Perspective” examines the complexities and pardoxes of this country in which the Indian majority is prevented by law from owning land or becoming the Government, yet the Fijian natives feel the more threatened. Bill Saunders talks to political leaders and the ordinary villagers of both racial groups to find out more about the deepseated grievances which are now emerging.