§ 53. Mr. BANFIELDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered a motion passed by the legislative council in Fiji urging the introduction of a system of nomination in place of the present elective system; and, in view of the telegram from the Indian Association of Fiji and a resolution passed by a body of European citizens and electors at Suva opposing such introduction, he will take no such step without consulting the wishes of the electors by means of an election?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald)I am aware of the motion passed by the Fiji Legislative Council. I have not felt able, on the information at present before me, to take any final decision on the constitutional changes proposed. Before doing so I wish to be satisfied that the proposals have been fully ventilated throughout the colony, and that adequate time and opportunity have been given for discussion and deliberation. To permit of this, on the recommendation of the Governor, the Letters Patent have been amended so as to enable the life of 2011 the present Legislative Council to be extended for a period of not more than a year.