In 1973, officials turned away about 60 people empty-handed after they called at the Commissioner Central’s office to collect hurricane relief rations.
Officials, according to an article published by The Fiji Times on March 1 that year, told them the last rations were issued between February 7 and 9 and there would be no more rations other than in exceptional cases.
The group represented about 500 people living in villages and settlements in the Central Division.
Commissioner Central Ratu George Mataika, in a press and radio message on February 16, said there would be no further ration issued.
People crowded outside the commissioners office from about 8am until early in the afternoon when officials convinced them there would be no distribution.
Filipe Naimawi, 59, of Nukutubu, in the Rewa delta, who was brandishing a ration card, said he represented 205 people who were expecting rations.
“I picked up our last rations on February 7 and was told to come back on February 28 as indicated on the official card,” Mr Naimawi told this newspaper.
“I was surprised when I and others were told that no more food would be issued.”
Mr Naimawi said people of his village had been planting food crops since Hurricane Bebe.
“But these have not matured yet, and we are depending on the hurricane relief committee’s free issue,” he said.
Ilaitia Ceme, 62, of Nakelo Village, said 82 people depended on the food he expected to collect.
“We too have planted food which hasn’t matured,” Mr Ceme said. “It will be some time yet before it will be ready for eating.”
Jai Narayan, of Toga, said he had 13 children to feed.
“We have been sitting in the sun without any lunch, and now we have been told there is to be no food,” stated the 52-year-old.
“When I left my home, there was no doubt in my mind that I would receive rations.”
Moape Kalouwai, of Dromuna in Kaba, said he had travelled more than 12 miles by outboard-powered punt to collect rations for 108 people.
“Usually, they give me petrol to get back to the village, but this time, I don’t qualify because they say we are not eligible for any more food, although we still need it,” Mr Kalouwai said.
Noor Begum of Navuso said she lived alone with her partly blind husband on their small farm.
“We have five children, but they have left us,” Ms Begum said.
Ratu Mataika said the issuing officers told the people who received their rations in the first week of February they would get no more rations.
“People knew this but took advantage of the fact that the issuing officers had written February 7, 1973 to February 28, 1973 on their cards,” he said.
“I saw some of those I knew and explained the situation to them.” He said they understood and returned to their villages.
The Fijian Member of the House of Representatives for Rewa, Sakeasi Butadroka, said he sympathised with the people.
