§ 63. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make any statement with regard to the proposed change in the constitution of the Fiji legislative council?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)Yes, Sir. As a result of representations made to me regarding proposed changes in the constitution of Fiji, I have decided to recommend to His Majesty that there shall be a reconstituted Legislative Council consisting of the Governor, 16 official members, five European members (three to be elected on a communal franchise 35 and two to be nominated), five Fijian members (all to be selected as at present), and five Indian members (three to be elected on a communal franchise and two to be nominated). The determination of the details of the new Constitution will necessarily occupy some time, and, in order to provide an interval for this, steps have been taken to enable the life of the existing Legislative Council to be prolonged until the 31st December, 1936, or such other date, not being later than 14th July, 1937, as may be fixed by the Governor by proclamation.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESHas the right hon. Gentleman received any representations from the people of Fiji with respect to this matter?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREOh, yes, very many. There have been continual debates in the existing Council, and representations from various sections of the population and from different sections of individual sections.
§ Mr. JONESMay we take it that there have been opportunities of discussing these proposals in the Council?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe result of these many representations, of receiving deputations, and the like, has been that I have come to the conclusion that this is the best solution of a very intricate problem.