HC Deb 28 October 1965 vol 718 c88W
Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the constitutional proposals for Fiji.

Mr. Greenwood

The constitutional proposals for Fiji are set out in the report on the proceedings of the recent Conference, published on 11th October, 1965, as Command Paper 2783. The recommendations are designed to provide a constitutional framework which will preserve a continuing link with Britain and within which further progress can be made in the direction of internal self government. The main features are as follows.

The new Constitution, which will come into effect next year, will provide for a Legislative Council of 36 elected members and not more than 4 officials. Nine Fijians, nine Indians and seven Europeans will be elected on communal rolls and three members of each race will be elected by cross voting. In addition, there will be two Fijian members elected by the Council of Chiefs. For electoral purposes, all Pacific Islanders—including Rotumans—will be included with the Fijians, and the Chinese will be included with the Europeans. Universal adult suffrage will thus be attained for the first time in Fiji.

The Constitution will also provide for a predominantly unofficial Executive Council which will evolve into a Council of Ministers. The Governor will, in his discretion retain certain subjects, including defence, external affairs, internal security and the public service as his special responsibility and will have power to act contrary to advice where he considers it necessary in the interests of public order, public faith or good government.

There will be provisions to ensure the independence of the judicature. The new Constitution will include a Bill of Rights.

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