FIJI'S GOVERNMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19799, 21 November 1927, Page 9

FIJI'S GOVERNMENT.

TASK FOR NEW ZEALAND. * POSSIBILITIES EXAMINED. ...; OPPORTUNITY FOR SERVICE. BY ENZED So many observant people anticipate that in the years to come, the Crown Colony of Fiji may with good reason be transferred to New Zealand administration, that it is not amiss to review some of the pros and cons.. Few will doubt that the influence of the Dominion as a nation participating in the affairs of the Pacific is bound to increase, and we can scarcely escape taking a lively interest in- the affairs of a strategic British Colony that is even now within 70 hours' voyage of Auckland, and which, shortly, wfll come within a few hours" flight. Fiji is as remote from the ColoniflJ Office as the meredians of the globe can make it. Far-removed from other Crown Colonies, there comes a sense of isolation in the vastness of the Pacific. Suva is four weeks journey from Downing Street, and this fact tends to delay legislative action. Wellington, on the other hand, is but four days distant, and official contacts could be frequent and easy. Prolonged isolation tends to produce an easy-going conservatism and a narrowed outlook, especially in the tropics. Closer official connection with the Dominion, and.frequent intercourse, would lead to progress and to more liberality and breadth of view. Importance to Dominion. Many will affirm that under Crown Colony Government, Fiji can benefit by the rich administrative experience of our world-wide Colonial Empire. It has to be admitted that there are some work-ing-principles which are applicable to important problems common to various climes, e.g., the right type of education for non-white races, questions of franchise, tropical agriculture, etc. Others state that the Colonial Office is tempted to send its finest officers to the vaster territories, and give less attention to small remote colonies like Fiji with a total population less than that of even Wellington or Auckland. Many consider that, with her increasingly fine educational facilities, New Zealand's young men require outlets overseas, and that fresh political responsibilities would lead to the building up of a Pacific Civil Service, and the cultivation of fine traditions such as have made the Indian Civil Service world-renowned. Again, to Downing Street, or indeed to England, Fiji is,of comparatively small importance when placed in the scales with a Ceylon or a Kenya; but to New Zealand, the colony and its future are of vital importance, for we have in Fiji our nearest neighbour, customer, iine of defence, and race-problem. Capita? and Labour. Fiji is capable of great development, and closer commercial relationships could become mutually beneficial. Not a few of the Europeans in the colony talk lof what . they regard as undue political and economic influence of a few wealthy individuals or companies, and such might be expected to welcome a change in existing conditions, although at present unable to voice their private feelings. At least one company with powerful interests would probably oppose a transference to Wellington. As to Labour, in spite of the Dominion's very proper resolve to exclude unfair Asiatic competition, a sense of fair-play would involve keeping a watchful eye upon labour conditions in the colony, even though these post-in-denture years show such gratifying improvement. For several years the New Zealand Education Department has loaned teachers to the Colonial Service for European and Fijian schools and has also sent an inspector annually. Now om* former* Director of Education has been . appointed as the colony's first Director of Education. Deserviiig pupils are being sent to this country with scholarships, and the wise training of the 20,000 Indian children is now to receive moie serious atten+ion. At present, in despair, Hindu parents are sending their children to India, in not a few cases, where they will absorb political which will not make for internal - peace when such students return to Fiji. Social and Racial Problems. Many Europeans in Fiji who might be favourable to administration by.. New Zealand show nervous fears that the strong prohibition sentiment in the Dominion would be likely to interfere seri-c ously with their present habits. Others there are who are convinced that prohibition is the finest boon that could be conferred upon the colony, one which is not likely under Colonial Office regime—unless the Fijians and Indians can be granted their wish in the matter. Growing irritation at the present racial discrimination in the liquor is noticeable, as also in South Ai[rica« Liquor interests are powerful in Ei'l. Downing Stveet is already embarrusiied by the clashing of racial interests in African colonies. In perhaps no part of the Empire is "colour-prejudice" Jess pronounced than in New Zealand, and many' hold the view that Dominion Government could explore new paths of racial co-operation, feeling assured of the friendliness of both Fijians and Indians from the outset. Over against this there is the typo of European, sun-baked and apprehensive, who insist on "keeping natives in their proper place." Although Indians in Fiji speak most highly of New Zealanders, yet it is almost certain that political leaders of the extremist type in India would oppose a transference of the colony to this Dominion. They make the impossible demand of equality of status throughout the Empire and would prefer to carry on their negotiations with Downing Street, instead of separate Dominion Governments. While there are many hero who would warn us against becoming responsible for a colony whose outlook is complicated by the presence of 70,000 Indians, there are those who would reply that it would be advantageous for Now Zealand, to interest her&elf and work constructively for inter-racial harmony in these South Seas. When riots broke out a few years Ago, it was not Aldershot, but New Zealand which was called upon to send immediate military assistance. The European Interests. Comment is made by European residents in the colony that transference of government would lead to an immeasurable strengthening of the "white" vote by alliance with voters in the Dominion. The "white" minority in ail such colonies views with some apprehension the approach of a day when eduction and irrepressible race-consciousness 1 will have made the "non-white" voter a power to be reckoned with. A further view expressed in some quarters is that- there should be a great island federation of those groups in the South Pacific which are under the Union Jack. , Whatever shufflings and readjustments mav eventuate in the coming decade or two, -New Zealand can scarcely evade closer relationships and added re |P o "® * bilities. It is a matter of time. In th process of Imperial evolution jhe old Mother Country wdl teke into consideration transferring f bilities to the daughter Dominions by : est & cal requirements*. S ° m , troubled - with , New Zealand „ . Ca X rS wo»l!d feel that added ' decreasing assistance. , with Lnglai'd« io( j to assume 1 Spre lStv a motives reS JThfl DioneeVs spirit of courage would g toicSpTU opportunity for u»p«. toot consolidation and semen.