The Rev. LI. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans he has for constitutional reform in the Fiji Islands.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodBy the Fiji Letters Patent, 1959, which came into operation on the 1st January, 1960, the Fiji Letters Patent, 1937 to 1954, were amended so as to enable the Great Council of Fijian Chiefs to elect five Fijian Members and three Alternate Fijian Members of the Legislative Council. This replaced the previous procedure for the selection of Fijian (as distinct from Indian and European) Members of the Legislative Council under which the Great Council of Fijian Chiefs submitted to the Governor the names of not less than seven and not more than ten Fijians and the Governor selected from these the five Fijian Members.
The opportunity was also taken to make provision for the temporary filling of Fijian vacancies on the Council; to bring the existing law governing the powers of the Legislative Council in financial matters into line with the practice in other Colonial territories; and to effect some minor amendments covering electoral matters.
I have at present no further plans for constitutional reform in Fiji, but I know that the Governor has the matter continuously under review.