Sweet memories
The 13th National Scouts Jamboree week-long camp with about 1200 Scouts was hailed a success. The focus of this year’s Scouts was on sustainability, resilience and peace. The week-long camp attracted Scouts from as far as Yasawa, Kadavu and Lau. I remember vividly that as part of our Scouts, we toured Labasa and had an enjoyable time learning new skills and making new friends. Sadly, we did not have the luxury of having social media or a camera to capture those glorious days. But we were taught by our teachers to put our feelings on paper. Hence, carrying an exercise book was compulsory. As I glanced through the pictures of our young Scouts and their dedicated teachers and parents via social media and The Fiji Times, my mind drifts to those colourful days when we were Scouts. I am adamant that the Scouts would have enjoyed their experience and the food and hospitality from the Friendly North and would have learnt valuable survival skills to face the obstacles in life. Finally, the title (F/T 20/08) ‘Scouts jamboree ends with sweet memories, lessons’ aptly described a successful and terrific event that taught our children skills and helped them to develop a character of self-reliance! Thank you The Fiji Times for the stories and photos from Labasa! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam Nadawa, Nasinu
Earthquake warning
Over the past 36 hours, the South Fiji Ridge has been constantly jolted by earthquakes ranging from 4.0 to 8.2 on the Richter scale. We are fortunate that the tremors are deep enough not to cause us harm. If the fault was shallow the devastation would be worse than the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, causing havoc throughout the nation. With the tremors continuing along the same area we need to remain vigilant. The worst may yet to come! Simon Hazelman, Savusavu
Climate change
We as a nation are doing everything to see that we keep our planet safe and the temperature steady. We have even signed the Paris Agreement for climate change. However, do you know that the biggest polluters China and India never signed and now America has pulled out of the Paris Agreement when the president said this was all a hoax? I understand Australia is also in a lot of pressure from the people to pull out of the agreement. Can you imagine when all the big nations pull out, what will happen to smaller nations like ours? Nardeo Mishra, Suva
Unfair advertisement
I believe the unfair advertisement currently airing about women being unpaid for doing 75 per cent of the work at home is a sad reflection on our women of Fiji. I believe a true woman will always value the fact that she is the leader of the household and that the time spent in the family chores are so precious that it cannot be valued. Menfolk have always held their partners in high esteem whether their partners are housewives or are holding professional work outside of the home. And the husbands and menfolk have always —since time immemorial — willingly pitched in the long extra hours to do their share of the family chores even after a hard day’s work in the office. I believe a typical working day for the dads is thus 17-18 hours long and the long day only ends when the children are in bed about 10pm-11pm. Then there is another couple of hours of planning for the family with the partner. At the end of the day, I believe the dads never ask to be paid for extra hours for the family chores. I believe the advertisement lowers the dignity of the women of our country by asking for women to be paid for carrying out family chores. William Rosa, Tavua
Free and fair
The Fiji Times (17/08) drew attention to political parties questioning the credibility of Electoral Commission (EC) and Fijian Election Office (FEO). Such questions will be somewhat expected as parties start warming up for the 2018 elections. But EC and FEO should ask themselves whether or not they have implemented the recommendations made by Multinational Observer Group (MOG) to improve this coming 2018 election. I believe one recommendation was that division of responsibilities between the EC and the FEO should be clarified. The concern was highlighted when the Fiji Court of Appeal in November 2016 declared the Supervisor of Elections failed to obey the mandatory direction of the EC under the Electoral Decree in 2014 in finalising the list of candidates for that election. We now know that the 2014 EC, which undertook its responsibilities with admirable competency and with limited resources, was not re-appointed. I believe the situation went from bad to worse when in February 2017, Parliament passed an amendment giving the Supervisor of Elections many of the policies and rule-making powers of the EC. I believe this change was passed by a FijiFirst majority in Parliament despite the MOG Report in 2014, which had critically pointed out this concern and the need for action. Under the Fiji Constitution 2013, “Every citizen has the right to free, fair and regular elections”. I believe this right can be fulfilled in the next election if MOG’s recommendations including the division of responsibilities between EC and FEO are clarified. Rev Akuila Yabaki, Suva
Bledisloe cracker
The rampaging and mighty All Blacks ran riot against the Wallabies in the first Bledisloe Cup opener. The All Blacks’ dominant and comfortable bonus point win in Sydney sent warning signals as the Wallabies head to Eden Park, where they have yet to win since 1986. Under Cheika the Wallabies were building a team that showed hunger and aggression but ran out of steam in the second half as the three-time Webb Ellis Cup winners picked up the tempo and found their rhythm. The Wallabies led 6-5 at half time but their set piece in the second half was diabolical and coupled with the visitors’ rushing defence, smart play, physical work at breakdowns and storming counter-attack, NZ scored 33 points in the second-half, a record against Australia, who had their moments but could not capitalise on the opportunities. It was a perfect win for Crusaders’ captain Sam Whitelock who notched his 100th cap for the super powers and it was a dream start for another Crusader Jack Goodhue who scored his first try in the All Blacks colours. It was also a night to remember for our local wonder boy Naholo as he scored two brilliant individual tries. Beauden Barrett showed why he has won the Player of the Year Award twice with his scintillating breaks and decision making as the All Blacks showed their prowess against Australia. Well done the All Blacks as I look forward to the return match at Eden Park! As I conclude, I commend the efforts of our Fijian spikers for soaring high during the Oceania Volleyball Championship in New Caledonia. Vinaka vakalevu and wananavu Fiji for beating NZ to win gold while accolades to our women’s team for winning silver. Both teams have done Fiji proud! Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam, Nadawa, Nasinu
7s challenge
Before the start of the new sevens series I challenge the Fiji sevens coach, he will not be able to bring any major trophy, until his term ends. Naca Nabukavou, Waqadra, Nadi
Congrats Fong
Kudos to Jessica Fong for grabbing the coveted Hibiscus crown. Truly deserving! I honestly believed that the other contestant who was earlier bestowed with multiple accolades would be declared victorious on that grand night. Better luck next time beautiful! Nishant Singh, Lautoka
Fish issue
Now that the fish issue has died down, I’ve been asked if the Fisheries Minister had paid me a visit and sevusevu fish? Hahaha! Wise Muavono Balawa, Lautoka
Free transport
From when will all those over 60 get free transport? Sukha Singh, Labasa
Election time
I feel there is reverberation of an ostensive trepidation in announcing the election date by the authorities. Why the surreptitious methodology is being applied is anyone’s conjecture. However, I believe by application of natural justice, all parties should be given ample time and a level playing field to play their democratic roles leading up to the election. Ravind Chandra Naidu, Tuatua Branch Rd, Labasa
Confiscated fish
I just want to back the writers from Lautoka who are trying to find out about the confiscated fish. The Fisheries Minister should do the honourable thing and just tell us what happened to the confiscated fish. I hope the Government’s most preached word transparency is still in the Fisheries Minister’s dictionary. John Brown, Drasa Vitogo, Lautoka
Kofi Annan
I pay tribute to the untimely death of Kofi Annan, the African who led the UN once. He was most useful with the peaceful resolution of world conflicts. The UN was created after world conflict in 1945 in a joint effort to peacefully resolve conflicts. May his soul rest in peace and his wife rest! Amenatave Yaconisau Palm Drive, Delainavesi
Festival rubbish
I went past the Hibiscus Festival and I would have thought I’d see some change to people’s attitude about rubbish. All I can say is, “no profit”. Allen Lockington Vesivesi Rd, Kinoya, Nasinu
