HC Deb 17 July 1940 vol 363 cc196-7
20. Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what recent steps have been taken in Fiji to safeguard the ownership of lands for the Fijians in this Colony?

Mr. George Hall

The Native Lands Trust Ordinance which was enacted in February of this year [...]ests the control of all native land in Fiji in a Board of Trustees, which includes one Fijian member and is presided over by the Governor. All native land is to be administered by the Board for the benefit of the native owners. The Board has power to set aside and proclaim native reserves (that is, areas set aside for the use of the Fijians), and steps will be taken to delimit such areas. The Board also has power to grant to non-Fijians, under certain conditions, leases or licences of native lands not included in native reserves.