Fiji electoral inquiry adjourns

Press, 31 January 1983, Page 5

Fiji electoral inquiry adjourns

NZPA Suva The Commission of Inquiry into the Fijian General Elections in July has adjourned indefinitely to allow counsel to agree on procedural matters. The Commissioner. Sir John White, a retired New Zealand judge, asked the lawyers for the three political ' parties to meet and agree on how and what evidence would be presented before the Royal Commission. Sir John also said he had not received any reply to a request to the Governor-Gen-eral for a widening of the terms of reference of the commission. All three counsel had requested. at the commission’s last sitting several weeks

ago, for a widening of the terms to include allegations made after the elections. That referred particularly to comments made by the Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, that the opposition National Federation Party had received funds from the Russians for its campaign.

Under the existing terms of reference, only those allegations made during’ the campaign may be brought before the Royal Commission. The N.F.P. has.threatened to withdraw from the hearings if the Prime Minister's allegations are not heard.

Sir John Falvey. a former Attorney-General who is also a Queen’s Counsel, represents the ruling Alliance Party, Mr Bhupendra Patel represents the Opposition, and Mr Siddiq Koya, a former Leader of the Opposition, represents theJVestern United Front, a coalition partner of the N.F.P.