The Fijian people will have nothing left to them as a race if they lose their culture.
This concern was raised in the Legislative Council in 1959 during a debate on encouraging multiracial education in the colony.
The novel idea was put forward by Governor Sir Kenneth Maddocks who suggested that more Indian and Fijian students should go to the same school.
One of the first to express scepticism over the move was Fijian member Semesa Sikivou, who said it was an “unpleasant one”.
“Administratively, that sounds very attractive and there is Christian virtue in the suggestion. There is, however, one point I would like to emphasise. The Fijian people are a minority race,” Mr Sikivou said in The Fiji Times of June 23, 1959.
“If they should lose their culture the sum total of things which make up their way of life, from the bure to the meke, they will have nothing.”
Mr Sikivou argued that “the Fijian must keep his culture” because he was weak.
“In 200 years’ time, I would like to see the Fijians still remain a people, and I believe that a majority of the Fijian people are behind me.”
Mr Sikivou said that during a visit to Denmark he performed a meke in front of an audience.
“The people of Denmark were able to see something definitely Fijian. While one of me thinks that it would be a good thing to support this Christian move, we Fijians should always take pride in maintaining our cultural heritage and traditions.”
Sir Maddocks, however, pointed out having multiracial schools would “strengthen the sense of unity of the people of the colony” and promote “the greatest mutual understanding”.
Indian member, Mr A.I.N. Deoki said the move would work towards creating a common citizenry and identity.
He said he was proud to be born in Fiji and regarded himself as a Fijian.
“While I may not agree with Semesa on some things, I congratulate him on having the courage to say the things he did,” Mr Deoki said.
He shared his experiences attending multiracial schools, the Suva Methodist Boys School and Natabua Secondary School.
“It was a wonderful experience to be in these multiracial schools, and I feel that the Governor has touched on the right chord for the future progress of this country.
“I feel that a lot of our misunderstanding can be removed by getting children of all races to play together, to study together, and like each other or dislike each other for what they are and not for racial prejudices.”
Fijian member Ravuama Vunivalu disagreed with Mr Deoki’s views.
“It is with the greatest respect and humility that I say I am afraid that I cannot agree with the government’s idea about multiracial schools,” Mr Vunivalu said.
“Changes in such things as tradition must be allowed to come when the people are ready to change psychologically and ask for it. I earnestly hope that the government will not, in its wisdom, take any action without full consultation of Fijian public opinion.”
