IT is timely to make a few observations on Fiji’s national day — October 10.
It is the day Fiji gained its independence and Prince Charles — now King Charles III — travelled to Fiji representing the Queen to hand over the instruments of independence to Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, the Fiji Prime Minster.
A massive responsibility was placed on the shoulders of the first Prime Minister of Fiji – Ratu Sir Kamisese – to provide a benign democratic leadership and governance over the new nation made up of a multiracial population and carefully craft a roadway to meet the desires and aspirations of the people of Fiji.
Ratu Sir Kamisese with his chiefly upbringing as a high chief – Tui Lau and Tui Nayau — and his early training in medicine at Otago University followed by his education at Oxford University, Wadham College where he read economics and political science and Oxford blue in athletics, was well prepared to lead Fiji. In immediate prior years, he was posted as a district officer, Ba and acquired a smattering of Hindi.
The Great Council of Chiefs gave Ratu Sir Kamisese unqualified support so did the people of Fiji.
To govern a multiracial country and to recognise the aspirations of all diverse communities required a deep understanding of all peoples and at the same lead, a parliamentary system of Government was a herculean task.
Fortunately, Ratu Sir Kamisese inherited a solid core of colonial administrators who were a tremendous assistance in the day-to-day running of the Government such persons as Robert Sanders, Raman Nair, Rodney Coles, Ian Thomson, Baker, and others.
Over time this cadre of administrators were replaced by qualified local personnel such as Dr Isireli Lasaqa, Jioji Kotoblavu, Lai Qarase, Savenaca Siwatibau, Satya Nandan and others.
The important departments of agriculture, health, education and the Police Force were given priority and substance.
The bold step to nationalise the sugar industry under a bipartisan committee headed by Ratu William Toganivalu, as the CSR Co could not accept the Lord Denning Arbitration thus the company decided to exit the sugar industry.
Immediately two experts in the sugar industry – Gwen Bowen-Jones and George Moody-Stuart — were recruited to provide the necessary leadership and to streamline the sugar industry. They both gave their heart and soul and the sugar mills became the most efficient producers of sugar, molasses, etc. Farmers were happy as they received their just reward and sugar production rose to new levels.
Along the way, both experts identified Rasheed Ali as the future CEO. He was the right pick and within two years under Mr Ali, FSC produced a record of 550,000 tonnes of sugar which has never been achieved again.
Ratu Sir Kamisese’s leadership came to the fore when the sugar from Fiji was given a Commonwealth preferential price and with the advent of the EU it was the brainchild of Ratu Sir Kamisese that the Lomé Convention was established to protect the future of the sugar industry — untold benefits ensued.
Alongside the sugar industry, Fiji tourism was born and expanded and became an economic powerhouse and the slogan Fiji the way the world should be was adopted.
In its early days, Fiji tourism was largely regarded as an industry belonging to Europeans, but this perception changed over time, and the benefits to local people were recognised.
In hindsight, the first constitution, while a workable document, had one big drawback: the two largest communities were kept apart, and suspicion was fuelled that AD Patel and the National Federation wanted to usurp power and displace the iTaukei when these well-meaning people had no such malevolent intentions.
Ratu Sukuna had a close liaison with SB Patel of Lautoka and also AD Patel.
If the first constitution had provisions for two major communities to work together, Fiji would be a totally different place, but this was not to be primarily because the General electors — very small in numbers — had a loud voice.
The inevitable happened at election time then the coup of 1987, but was quickly stabilised through the intervention of the chiefs of Fiji and especially Ratu Sir Kamisese and Ratu Penaia.
Of great significance was when Mahendra P Chaudhry became prime minister and Ratu Sir Kamisese was the president. Mr Chaudhry in one year worked tirelessly, cleaned up the civil service, introduced new work ethics and gave the most important priority to the betterment of people overall and especially the Fijian people. Mr Chaudhry briefed Ratu Sir Kamisese every week and Ratu Mara told me that Chaudhry worked so hard that he would be a better PM than him.
Mr Chaudhry identified the needs of every village in Fiji by way of roads, electricity, piped water etc, and systematically uplifted the living standard of the Fijian people. If Mr Chaudhry was allowed to continue with his plan he would have been the longest-serving PM in Fiji’s history.
Some educated Fijians recognised what Mr Chaudhry was doing ensured his popularity would be so entrenched that he will be there for a long time ever. Not wanting this is be realised these educated Fijians organised the removal of Mr Chaudhry through a coup on his first anniversary. It traumatised him so much that Mr Chaudhry wasn’t the same person anymore. Such humiliation, such trauma and such inhuman treatment.
This story needs to be told.
In the aftermath of the coup, the Laisenia Qarase government was formed and he won the election but did not invite Mr Chaudhry to join the government — another big mistake. Furthermore, Mr Qarase refused to have a dialogue with Voreqe Bainimarama, who was instrumental in making him PM in the first place.
Mr Bainimarama took over the government and Fiji suffered for 16 long years and a dictatorship government of two was practiced where we had no freedom of speech or expression and government by fear was openly practiced.
It is indeed a godsend that Mr Rabuka formed a Coalition Government and saved Fiji from the brink of annihilation.
Today, Mr Rabuka is our saviour and a person, who is approachable, reasonable and who governs all communities in a free and fair manner. Fiji has been saved and it is now time for all to rally behind Mr Rabuka and give him the desired support to make Fiji a shining example to the world. Fiji has many capable and god-fearing people and we all need to support each other.
On this day we must recognise the sterling work of our founding fathers in the persons of Ratu Mara, Ratu Sukuna; AD Patel; SB Patel; Ratu Penaia Ganilau; Ratu George Cakobau; Ratu Edward Cakobau; SM Koya; and many others.
God bless Fiji and its people.
- n MAHENDRA PATEL is Chairman Emeritus of Motibhai & Company Ltd, which has ownership interests in The Fiji Times. The views expressed herein are not necessarily shared by this newspaper.
