Too many chiefs
A lot of chiefs have been installed in the past two and a half years since this government came into office. From the Vunivalu of Bau to numerous chiefs throughout Fiji. The GCC has also been reinstated with great pomp and ceremony. What is more, there is great anticipation for the upcoming installation of the Tui Nayau, where royalty will be present. There are so many chiefs in a small nation of less than one million people. It is a great tradition and culture unique to Fiji. But, has anything changed in Fiji for the better in that time? Have there been any benefits from all the chiefs to the people of Fiji, or is tradition and culture paramount? If that is the case, why do people complain so much? Or is it a case of “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians”? Jan Nissar Sydney, Australia
Efficient sugar mills
Even the Prime Minister wants one sugar mill on Viti Levu. We had three mills. Instead of repairing the Rakiraki Mill, it was wrecked altogether and sold as scrap. Does the PM know how much extra money it costs for the Rakiraki cane to be transported to Ba Mill? Now we have two mills, and if one breaks down, cane can be transported to the one that is operating. Both mills on Viti Levu are running quite well. Instead of making one new efficient mill, why can’t the working mills be made more efficient and also go into full time electricity generation. PM your government has not created much needed new employment. Please don’t take jobs away from the sugar workers! Sukha Singh, Labasa
Disinterested or uninterested?
The Chairman of the Te Fiji Law Reform Commission, Daniel Fatiaki, raised his concern regarding the poor turn out at the public hearings under the headline “Disinterest baffles Fatiaki” (FT 9/4). I am not baffled at all. The public is not disinterested but rather uninterested. In fact, in my view, the chairman and his committee members should be disinterested in the outcome of the hearing. After listening to and reading the views of the chairman of FLRC prior to the public consultations, I felt that he had already made up his mind on what is to be changed and what is not. Voting on ethic lines is one example. Thus, I became uninterested in giving my views in public or penning my views in private. I am sure there are many like me who are reading in between the lines. Arun Prasad, Dilkusha, Nausori
No to media pass
The eleventh hour decision by Fiji Sport Council to lock out media outlets who are without the passes signed by its acting CEO Gilbert Vakalabure to cover sporting events on its venues is uncalled for. Operations manager Litia Senibulu cites security concerns as a reason for the move. This requirement and reasoning is definitely ill-considered and plainly illogical. Firstly, why impose it on the eve of Fiji’s biggest sporting meet — the Coca-Cola Games? Suddenly our budding sports women and men on the cusp of taking centre stage in this once in a lifetime opportunity to be recognised will be denied the opportunity to be household sporting names in their schools; community, etc. And in order for these dreams to be a reality, the media must not be hindered by the Sports Council accessing the sports arenas, which strangely enough; belongs to the public. Secondly consider this scenario: no media coverage means no one knows about the event. So no spectators turn up and the Sports Council doesn’t collect any revenue from entry fees. The Sports Council becomes the biggest loser of all as it will miss out on a massive financial windfall which is there for the taking. As for the council’s reason about security concerns-that is the work of Fiji Police Force and the security firms. Why rope in the media? Let’s all get into the spirit of the moment Fiji Sports Council. Give the media a free hand. Light the torch! Let the games begin! William Rosa, Ba
