MEMBERS ABSENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22864, 20 October 1937, Page 12

MEMBERS ABSENT

Fin COUNCIL THREE ELECTED INDIANS MISUNDERSTANDING ARISES OATHS SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN [from our, OWN correspondent] SUVA. Oct. S The first session of the newly constituted Legislative Council, on which Europeans and Indians have equal elective representation, opened without the attendance of the three elected Indian members. In addition to the Governor and the Colonial Secretary there arc 15 official members/who are heads of Government departments, two nominated European members, two nominated Indian members, four nominated Fijian members, three elected European members and three elected Indian members. Owing, it is understood, to some disagreement in regard to the appointment by the Governor of one of the nominated Indians, a Moslem, as senior Indian member, the three elected Indians did not attend the opening session when the members were sworn in, although they attended the official dinner given by His Excellency in the evening. r . , rj When the council resumed after the week-end recess the three members took their seats, but were asked by His Excellency to vacate them as they had not been sworn in. They left the council room. After the minutes of the previous meeting had been confirmed His Excellency stated that the members who had not previously taken the oath of allegiance and the official oath could now take it. The three Indians, however, could not be found, and it was stated that they had left the building. The next morning the Indian members were still absent but on the following morning they attended, took the prescribed oaths and were admitted. Although no statement was made in council regarding the matter, it is generally believed that the members misunderstood His Excellency's request, which indicated that they could not take their seats until they had taken the oaths, which would not biadministered until after the minute* of the previous day had been confirmed. A compliment to the Moslem member of the Legislative Council, Mr. Said Hassan, and to the Moslem community, was paid by His Excellency at Friday's session, when he announced that the*council would adjourn at noon in deference to the fact that Friday was the Moslem day of rest. Mr. Hassan thanked the Governor for his consideration and said that ho was sure the Moslem community would appreciate the courtesy. NURSING AND FORESTRY CIVIL SERVICE REORGANISATION [from our own correspondent] SUVA. Oct. 8 An interesting item arising out of the session of the Fiji Legislative Council was the decision to discontinuo the training of European nurses _in Fiji in favour of a scheme of having suitable applicants trained in New Zealand hospitals. The decision of the Government to establish a Forestry Department under a trained officer and to j'roceed with afforestation work was also announced. A lengthy report upon the reorganisation of the Civil Service in Fiji, salaries, and conditions of appointment as submitted by a committee, was debated at some length by the elected members. They opposed the provisions for increased salaries in the higher divisions, the lack of opportunities afforded colonial and Dominion people for advancement to the higher posts, and the provision of free medical attendance to civil servants.