§ 35. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals he has in mind for constitutional reform in Fiji.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNone, Sir, but I know that the Government of Fiji have the question of constitutional reform under review.
§ Mr. JohnsonWill the Minister confirm that for the first time the Indian immigrant population now outnumbers the indigenous Polynesian population, and that the Indian population is wealthy—they are the middle men—and with their money they wish to buy land; but obviously the land is in the hands of the Fijian people and that is causing considerable tension? Will he consider appointing a Commission to look at the matter before it blows up, as it might, into a situation like that in Kenya or Cyprus? Can that be looked at before it gets too late?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI see no reason to do that. The question of constitutional political change was not an issue in the elections to the Legislative Council in August, 1956. It would be giving a misleading impression to suggest that there are widespread demands or desires for significant political change.
§ Mr. JohnsonWill the right hon. Gentleman look at the matter before it is too late, because in two years or five years it might blow up into a situation such as we have seen in other Colonies?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am certainly looking at the situation all the time.