Call for Fiji poll on Sunday work

Press, 31 March 1989, Page 6

Call for Fiji poll on Sunday work

NZPA-AAP Suva Fiji’s High Court yesterday called for a referendum into the country’s controversial ban on Sunday work and recreation which has been in force since a second coup in late 1987. The suggestion was made by the chief justice, Sir Timocl Tuivaga, after he declared an attempted takeover of the Methodist church organisation by a group of proban fundamentalists illegal and unlawful. The ruling also overturned claims by the dissidents that they had overthrown and replaced the Church’s moderate president, Josateki Koroi.

Methodism is the majority denomination of indigenous Fijians and the split within the Church over the Sunday ban is being seen as a major element in Fiji’s post-coup political situation.

Many of the fundamentalist clergy involved were original supporters of the first coup, in May, 1987, which overthrew the Indian-dominated Bavadra Government amid a movement for indigenous political dominance.

The Sunday issue came to a head last Christmas when the hardline secre-tary-general, Manasa Lasaro, and about 100 supporters were arrested for erecting roadblocks around Suva in protest over a Government decision to exempt public transport from the ban. Although the dissidents were not convicted after pleading guilty at subsequent Court appearances, Mr Koroi suspended Mr Lasaro, who in turn staged a takeover of the Church.

After being locked out of his office and allegedly stripped of power, Mr Koroi launched Court action, which succeeded yesterday.