‘Rainstoppers’ to rescue?

Press, 15 October 1982, Page 6

‘Rainstoppers’ to rescue?

From ROY VAUGHAN, in Suva Suva turned on its first sunshine for weeks, reputedly helped by Fiji's “rainstoppers." yesterday morning for the colourful opening ceremony of the third Commonwealth heads of government regional meeting. Set out in the expansive gardens of Government House, it took the form of a traditional Fijian welcome with open palm-decorated stands and a block of Fijian chiefs and their retainers seated in the centre court.

It was an all-Fijian affair with chanting, speeches of welcome at first in Fijian by high chiefs and responses later in English by the Gov-

ernor-General of Fiji. Ratu Sir George Cakobau. the Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, the Prime Minister of Australia. Mr Fraser, and the President of the Maldives. Uz Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. It was Mr Gayoom's first Commonwealth meeting. Although Indian members of the Fiji Government were present, there was no equivalent Indian ceremony to welcome Commonwealth leaders to Fiji. The common theme among the speakers was concern about the world economy and need to ratify the Law of the Sea conference, all expressing hopes that constructive moves would be achieved. Mr Fraser, in his official

opening speech, said the conference presented the opportunity to take up the issue of the Law of the Sea conference and the failure of countries such as the United States to ratify the treaty. He also referred to the continuation of the NorthSouth dialogue and the need for Commonwealth Asian and Pacific leaders to act together on protectionism. The meeting of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Finance Ministers (at Geneva next month) would be of significance, Mr Fraser said. One of the best things the Suva conference could do would be to provide, impetus for the first important steps towards trade reform. Mr Fraser earlier warned of the prospects of the world

economic depression continuing not just for months but well bevond. The Press Association reports that the fine weather has been attributed to a Fijian clan known as the rainstoppers. Officials cancelled all wetweather arrangements three weeks ago. and since then it has rained almost constantly. The rainstoppers made their ritual offering to an ancestral god along with clear instructions on the type of weather required. An hour before the ceremony was due to begin, out came the sun.

New Zealand officials were rumoured to be getting in touch with the clan to talk about the South Island drought.