Migrant workers
No disrespect to migrant workers who come to Fiji because they deserve dignity and opportunity like anyone else. But surely the question on many lips is this: Why are we bringing in migrant workers when so many of our own people are struggling with unemployment? Who got this idea over the line in the first place and why? Seems to me that there’s a stench of you know what. Colin Deoki, Australia
Poverty issue
Kudos to the Minister for iTaukei Affairs highlighting this issue in his recent ministerial statement. Time and time again this has been brought up both inside and outside Parliament but it all turns out into big talkfest with no propitious, salutary and effective policy outcome that addresses the poverty issue within Fiji specially focusing on the iTaukei community. Let’s hope the minister’s initiative does not fall on deaf ears and ends up with the same fate once again. Raveen Pillay Pacific Harbour
Gridlock Fiji
Sushil Sharma has nailed the salient points of the old constitution, that are no brainers, that must be changed. (FT 26/04 P45) Especially his mention, in the constitution, of the phrase, “as may be prescribed by law”. The constitution should be a “stand alone” document, the basis for all law legislated by parliament. You can’t have a feedback loop. All the discussion now of the Electoral Legislation Review Commission is good in that it has engaged the public in seriously thinking about electoral procedures, but it does risk the constitution issue being swamped by what are side issues to constitutional change. Terry Hulme, Russell St, Eastwood, NSW, Australia
New sugar mill
The Sugar Minister says a paper on the new sugar mill will be presented to Cabinet next Tuesday (FT:26/4). He also said that cane growers would need to increase their production because the new mill will have the capacity of crushing 5000 to 6000 tonnes per day. A shrewd businessman will do the opposite. First, increase the sugarcane production, and then talk of a new sugar mill when existing mills cannot cope with the crushing of an increased amount of sugarcane. Will the new sugar mill become a white elephant if we are not able to increase the sugarcane production? Bharat Morris, Gold Coast, Australia
Nadi Town
A Nadi River Flood Alleviation Project is coming in the next budget, as conveyed by DPM, Mr Prasad (FT 24/4/25). Has he studied all the previous ones? Within the past 35 years, in my opinion, JICA and associated overseas aid experts were onto the same, but to no avail. Now, the Coalition has again tried to open a similar “juke box”, as a duplication. When is the general election? This has been a long standing issue from the Jet Set Town’s perspective, including the traffic jam. Why has the Government suddenly awakened? The first half of its term was only about themselves. Abraham Lincoln stated: “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true.” Samu Silatolu, Nakasi
