Fiji and the franchise : a history of political representation, 1900-1937
Creators: name: Ali, Ahmed
Publisher: name: The Australian National University
Year: 1973
Subjects: subject: Constitutional history Fiji
subject: Elections History Fiji

description: This thesis attempts to explain the nature of the Crown Colony constitution of Fiji. Hence it concentrates on the demands of the inhabitants of the Colony and the response of the rulers. The problem that confronted the rulers was a complex one in that, they nad to deal with the conflicting aspirations of three distinct communities. The nature of these demands for representation in the Legislative, Executive and Municipal Councils, are analysed in some detail as well as the steps that were taken by the administration in response. This thesis explores the reasons that motivated the political demands oi trie various ethnic groups and shows how far these were realized. Further the methods whereby the rulers reached their decisions, and their motives for these, are examined and commented upon. Thus the work endeavours to throw some light on political aspects of colonial constitution-making in a plural society by its discussion and analysis of the often conflicting interplay of the political aspirations of the contending ethnic groups. Since the issue of the franchise in Fiji was largely a struggle for political rights first for Europeans and then for Indians, thesetwo groups receive the greatest attention. Chapters I and II discuss European efforts to obtain the franchise and then on receipt of it to consolidate the political position of the community. The original European intention of obtaining democratic representative government is modified when Indians begin to agitate for political rights. The next two chapters (III and IV) discuss tne Indians’ political awakening and the Government's efforts to enfranchise' them. The discussion in Chapter IV highlights the constraints upon the Government in enfranchising the Indians. The dissatisfaction (Chapter V) of some Indians with the nature of the franchise granted Lo them opens a new source of conflict, the constitutional implications of which are discussed in Chapters VII, VIII and IX. Since the Fijians were not the proponents cf constitutional change they receive considerably less attention. But they cannot be ignored,as their presence and rights were the crucial determinants in the process of political change in their native land. Hence they are the subject of Chapter VI which concentrates on describing and explaining Fijian aspirations and reactions. But the chapters that follow also take full cognizance of the Fijian point of view and assess its impact. Seen from this dimension the thesis studies European-Indian political goals in relation to the native position and the doctrine of the paramountcy of Fijian interests which was in existence in this Pacific colony much earlier than it was enunciated in 1923 in Africa. Chapters VII, VIII and IX are essentially concerned with the consequences of the enfranchisement of the Indians. the Indians found the communal franchise granted to them inadequate. Instead they demanded a common franchise (one man one vote) and they pursued this with a single-mindedness that split their own community ana angered and frightened both Europeans and Fijians. Chapter VII, on Muslim separatism illustrates that c mimon roll was as unpalatable to a significant Indian minority as it was to Fijians and Europeans. Ihe reaction of the anti-common roll elements including the colonial regime was to seek the total abolition of the elective principle, both in t.he Municipal boards of Suva and Levuica and in the Legislative Council. Chapters VIII and IX detail the steps towards constitutional retrogression and attempt to fathom the reasons behind the action. While the municipal franchise was abolished the compromise authorized by the Secretary of State for the Colonies preserved the elective principle in the Legislative Council though nomination of candidates by the Governor was re-introduced. Chapter IX concludes witn an examination of demographic and economic factors that aroused European and Fijian anxiety. The Conclusion (Chapter X) briefly sums up what the earlier chapters have discussed in considerable detail. It admits that the colonial regime was prepared to grant communal franenise to both Europeans initially and to Indians later. The Government was, moreover, 'willing to allay the fears of minorities such as tne Europeans and Muslims. But it was unwilling to concede to a common franchise demanded by a vocal section of the Indian community because this was repudiated by a majority of others as it presaged Indian political domination which threatened the very basis of colonial policy in the colony. In all its decisions the regime remained true to its original undertaking that in Fiji, Fijian interests were paramount.