Fiji’s P.M., Mara, loved by ethnics

Press, 7 December 1987, Page 6

Fiji’s P.M., Mara, loved by ethnics

NZPA-Reuter Suva Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, yesterday appointed first Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, is a well-loved high chief who ruled the South Pacific island State during its first 17 years of independence.

Ratu Mara, aged 57, the first Fijian to graduate with a master’s degree from Oxford University, dominated Fijian public life for 20 years until April’s General Election when his Alliance Party was defeated by the ethnic Indian-dominated National Federation/ Labour party coalition. The election victory triggered the first of two coups by the then Lieuten-ant-Colonel Sitlveni Rabuka, who has since been

promoted to brigadier. Ratu Mara took the foreign affairs portfolio in the Council of Ministers, an interim administration set up by Brigadier Rabuka under the leadership of the Governor-General, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganiiau. After the second coup in September, Ratu Mara played no part in government which was in the hands of a 22-member Army council headed by Brigadier Rabuka. Ratu Mara, who has

always preached multiracialism, led the preindependence Council of Ministers and was named Prime Minister on independence in 1970, one year after he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth. Ratu Mara studied medicine at Otago Medical College in New Zealand before deciding his future lay in public service. After Oxford, he studied economics and development at the London

School of Economics. He joined the colonial service in London in 1950 and returned to Fiji as an administrative officer, rising to the position of Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Ratu Mara became a member of the then Legislative Council before being appointed Fiji’s first chief minister in 1967. Ratu Mara is married to another hereditary high chief, Adi Lady Lala. They have eight children.