Full disclosure – JAN NISSAR SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
IT is obvious that Samu Silatolu and Colin Deoki understand the issues between Israel and Palestinians better than anyone else. What they should declare is their personal and religious stance so that we all can then clearly understand where their views come from. I believe making full disclosure is important.
Amateur rugby – AREKI DAWAI SUVA
FIJI’S Skipper Cup or provincial level rugby managed by the Fiji Rugby Union is just a step away from playing international rugby at a professional level for our local players. I thought that FRU, under the leadership of its new CEO, will bring in changes and part away from amateur rugby but it looks like that they have not progressed to semiprofessional rugby. After watching yesterday’s Farebrother Cup challenge, it is in plain view that organisers of our provincial rugby is still in the doldrum of amateur rugby. A ground filled with numerous sand patches shows the substandard capacity of the responsible officers at the rugby house. Come on FRU, anyway, congratulations to both teams!
Stop bombing Gaza – RAJEND NAIDU SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
TRUMP tells Israel it “must immediately stop” bombing Gaza as Hamas is ready for peace. It is nice for the main supplier of bombs to Israel to belatedly tell Israel to stop the bombing and the slaughter of Palestinian civilians and their homes, hospitals, schools, and refugee shelters. Wonder how many innocent men, women and children would not have got killed if Trump had ordered Israel to stop the indiscriminate bombing much earlier when the Israeli atrocities were exposed by journalists, many of whom got killed themselves by Israel?
Ministry for men – LUKE KULANIKORO SAVUSAVU
AREH Tavai Bale! Get the Men’s Ministry because many men are trying to be women yaar!
National language – TAHIR ALI HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND
BILINGUAL communities with “Lingua franca” in vosa vakaviti and Fiji Hindi (The Fiji Times — Avinesh Deepak Picture 13/9) is always true to stay in Fiji’s diverse society, be it in sports, streets, schools or work places. I feel we could promote this in schools and religious places for better communications. Vosa viti or bolo Fiji bhasa is totovata — Kaise baat! Kaun roki
Discipline and children – CONAN HATCH NADI AIRPORT
IT’S a bit strange that we had two successive governments who has taken away the right of parents to discipline their own children and are now calling various stakeholders including the church and families to assist with the rise of teenage pregnancies. I believe that these anti-smacking laws which sought to protect children have instead, exacerbated the issue. The previous government brought in this law and the current government seems to support it. There has been mention that there were consultations done with stakeholders before the laws were introduced but I don’t believe that to be the case. I have never heard nor seen a public consultation on the subject of whether we should introduce antismacking laws. I suspect that the public were not widely consulted as the majority of the population would have been against these laws.
We call ourselves a democratic state but laws that are not supported by the majority are brought into our national law and passed by Parliament. I believe that this law was hastily introduced as part of our commitment to the UN backed International Human Rights Treaty. From what I have observed so far in my short life span is that not everything that the UN mandates are necessarily good for everyone. In contrast, I have disciplined my children lovingly at times when needed and they have grown up to be well behaved and respectful adults. Did I follow a UN mandate to bring up my children? Certainly not! I followed the Bible and now enjoy the fruit of God’s law.
Migration trend – SAMU SILATOLU NAKASI, NAUSORI
MR Prasad, DPM, commented on Fiji’s migration (FT 3/10/25). I believe most of the migration numbers border on overseas employment offered by NZ and Australia. The “outflux”, in my view, really crippled our domestic labour market which in turn, embraced foreign labour importation for replacements. Since the building industry is booming, there must have been a large influx, in my opinion. That were the conditions and permits offered? What has been the “immigration figure”, since 2016? Which were the countries of origin? Refugees and illegal immigrants, I believe, have been accepted in NZ and Australia because of “political tolerance”, clothed with multiculturalism. The government needs to be very well aware proactively, for such a scenario. It should learn from the “nasty” immigration trends, of our neighbours and beyond.
The “writing” is already on the wall, in my opinion. And for all of Fiji’s future safety and security, the UN has to be “meticulously observed”. Prevention outweighs cure.
New church leader – SAVENACA VAKALIWALIWA TACIRUA
ON Saturday, the Seventh-day Adventist Fiji Mission conducted its 17th Quinquennial Session Combine Sabbath at the National Stadium in Suva. Included in the program is the handover of the SDA Fiji Mission presidency held by Pastor Nasoni Lutunaliwa to the newly-appointed president Pastor Epeli Saukuru. The outgoing president assured the new Fiji Mission president that he has been called and picked by God and his mission remains the same, to make disciples of all nations. The new president Pastor Saukuru also called all church members to be in-Christ and be part of the gospel commission in Fiji, South Pacific and the world.
Personally, I humbly pray for our Heavenly Father to richly bless our new Fiji Mission president and all the pastors under him and all members who are willing to be part of the gospel commission for the next five years. World events are revealing that the world is coming to an end and the gospel is the only way out for humanity.
Rugby progress – AREKI DAWAI SUVA
FIJI Rugby Union approved and recognised a provisional rugby match to be played on a ground filled with many sand patches. No wonder our provincial rugby has progressed!
The Fiji Times shapes our history! – RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM NADAWA, NASINU
IT was a matter of pride for Natabua High School principal Virendra Sharma as he received a copy of The Fiji Times at 150 from the author Dr Anurag Subramani and The Fiji Times editor-in-chief Fred Wesley at the school. While addressing the students, Dr Anurag reminded them of the importance of preserving history.
The Fiji Times at 150 enables students to appreciate our forefathers who toiled sweat, blood and tears to build a Fiji which we are presently enjoying. It is important that today’s generation value history. Our rich history must be shared so that they are not ignorant of things that transpired before them as these shape our future, giving us the wisdom to chart the way forward. The Fiji Times was established on September 4, 1869, in the Old Capital by George Littleton Griffiths. Fiji’s oldest newspaper, which has braved ordeals, coups, extreme turbulences, media decrees like MIDA, criticism and scolding, continues to exist, providing Fijians a platform to raise their opinions and voices. The Fiji Times at 150 is an archive, full of information and one day the next generation will look back at time and appreciate the existence of Fiji’s history. It is important to look back to chart our path forward. We must understand and appreciate the mistakes and the challenges we have faced and what we can do to overcome them moving forward.
