HC Deb 26 April 1939 vol 346 cc1131-3
38. Mr. Thurtle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the nominated representatives of the Fijian people in the Legislative Council of Fiji are all in receipt of Government payment, either by way of salary or pension; that, in consequence of this fact, the people of Fiji do not consider that such representatives are in a position to represent them with any real degree of independence; and whether he will consider the desirability of making a constitutional change which will enable the people who pay the taxation in the Colony to elect a certain number of members to the Legislative Council?

Mr. M. MacDonald

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The method by which these Fijian representatives are selected was agreed with the Senior Chiefs just prior to the introduction of the new Constitution in 1937. I am not aware of any suggestion from the Fijians that this method should now be changed; nor of any evidence that the independence of the Fijian representatives as members of the Legislative Council has been seriously questioned.

Mr. Thurtle

Does it not appear obvious to the right hon. Gentleman that if all the representatives are in the pay of the Government, they are necessarily "yes-men" as far as the Government are concerned?

Mr. MacDonald

I can only reply that, as far as my information goes, many of these members have voted against the Government on many occasions in recent times.

39. Mr. Thurtle

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the recent changes in the Legislative Council of Fiji have deprived the people of Fiji of any real say in matters of taxation and expenditure and in the domestic affairs of the Colony in general, which condition of affairs is a cause of consider able dissatisfaction; and will he consider a further revision of the Legislative Council in order to give the Fijians some effective part in the government of their own country?

Mr. MacDonald

No, Sir. The constitutional changes made in 1937 left unaltered the powers of the Legislative Council regarding the matters referred to by the hon. Member. So far as representation of the Fijians is concerned, they actually have to-day two more seats in the Council than they had prior to 1937.