Fiji and the franchise : a history of political representation, 1900-1937

Abstract

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.