Slow 'breeze of change' in Fiji Politics.

Some Fijian Landowners are renewing expiring landleases which is good. I believe N.L.T.B is trying to get some tennants evicted.
S.D.L Party Ministers are NOT carrying on for the 2006 elections. Seems like they are suffering from self-induced cavitation.

Strike action by the Nurse union is a looming threat for Qarase's government. The union which is largely Fijian dominatedsignals the political vote it can harness t it's cause and can damage main stream parties like S.D.L and S.V.T in the upcoming elections. Political bickering in Fiji's Parliament is the mud which public affairs get stuck in. Comments from another political HAS-BEEN show the depths of these old farts who just love the limelight but can't produce the goods. Fiji does not need them.

S.D.L Party director should be flogged for this stupid comment. Mssr Baba demonstrates his disregard for the monololistic principles that
is the foundation for all legal systems. So that abuses like misappropriating funds can proceed without punishment. That case is only the tip of the ice-berg. To fathom
the entire cancer of corruption in Fiji, requires "whistle-blower" laws.

Inspiring words of wisom from Auckland University of Technology Alumini frontman for Fijian students. Steps to revive Fijian literature is a new horizon for Fiji. I hope it does not rule out political ramblings.
Sports scholarships and other forms of that is the kind of criteria that Fijian Affairs Board should start exercising. As always they take the lead from the rear.

This idea of tranparent public affairs should be applied in the Prime Ministers office in Fiji.
The idea of referendum will be th ultimate gauge of support for the Bill.

I raised earlier to a Letter to the Fiji Times Editor, that all Bills to be approved via referendum during the elections. The incoming Government just actions the results of the decision.
Qarase's comments saying the Fiji constitution did not allow this is a load of Bullocks, as the Brits would say. He defends the 97 constittion when it favors his cirmcumstances and advocates amending it, most of the time. So what is it Mister Prime Minister? That same tenants in the 97 constitution is being eroded by this R.T.U Bill.

Great Council of Chiefs will be judged by History say United People's Pary President Mick Beddoes. I have already begun. History begins the second after the action has been done.

More selected letters to the Editor of the Fijian Times. Weds Aug 3rd 2005 edition.

Grand coalition

THE move to unite Fijians to contest the 2006 general elections should be applauded but I have one reservation � unity should not be at the cost of democracy.
Uniting Fijians for the sake of retaining power behind a platform that is bankrupt of new ideas does not, in my humble view, augur well for the future.

Manasa Ragani,
Suva

Private army

CAN the Minister for Information, Marieta Rigamoto, tell us if Vilikesa Raqio met with Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and Minister for Home Affairs Josefa Vosanibola regarding his plan to set up a private army to look after the Government.

If the meeting took place, can Ms Rigamoto justify why Mr Raqio was entertained by the Prime Minister and the Home Affairs minister when the Government was not interested in a private army?

Amand Chand
Brisbane Australia

Tourist rip-off

WHILE travelling to the western side last weekend, I had the chance to talk to a couple of tourists from Melbourne here for the holidays.

They were sharing their grievances over the discrimination they experienced with bus operators on the Queen's Highway. Travelling with a restricted budget, the two visitors caught a Sunbeam bus from Nadi airport to the Outrigger Reef Resort on the Coral Coast.

The bus checker charged them $F11 each. On their return trip, they caught a Sunset bus and were charged $F12 for both of them ($F6 each).

They were surprised and said that locals should not treat tourists differently. Little issues such as overcharging tourists can tarnish the image of the tourism industry.

It could also hinder tourism development in the country.

Epeli Drau
Suva

Puppet on a string

THE Fijian people have spoken. The Great Council of Chiefs, provinces and the Methodist church support the Unity Bill.

The Prime Minister is happy because he has the support to implement restorative measures in order to solve issues emanating from the 2000 coup. It has been argued that putting people involved in the 2000 coups behind bars will not solve the issues we face.

The two major issues are that the Fijian people do not want a non-Fijian leading the nation and Fijian land and fishing rights are being threatened. The present situation is a wake-up call for non-Fijian political parties.

Even if they have a Fijian leader, he will always be viewed as a "puppet on a string". The interests of the Fijian people will always be paramount. It had been the dream of the late Sakeasi Butadroka's � minus the boat ride back to the motherland.

Save Vaka
Tailevu

Unity defined

TRAVELLING on a bus from Nadi to Suva this week, I was touched to see a Fijian woman holding an Indian child on her lap.

The child and her parents could not get a seat on the bus when they got on. The Fijian lady offered to hold the child because her parents had to stand. I say, that was a perfect example of racial harmony and unity.

It is here with us, even without a Unity Bill. So we do not need a Unity Bill?

Jyotishma Naicker
Nadi

Turn of events

The media and people are gloating at the turn of events the passage of the Unity Bill has taken.

They relish the intrigue it holds on the edge of their seats as if they are watching a tight rugby match. But this is not a rugby match but a political spectacle with far-reaching consequences for everyone.

We should not lose sight of the fact that just because the SDL party, provincial councils and the GCC endorsed the Bill does not mean that something which was wrong is right.

One should see the endorsement as a reflection of the incapacity of Fijian leaders to learn from their mistake. It is a sad reflection of the Fijian psyche � stuck in a time-warp and slow to adapt to reality.

A fellow Fijian observed that even if our colonial masters had not molly-coddled Fijians and exposed them to the rigours of cane plantations, our incapacity to learn from our mistake and frogleap over time would see Fijians where we are now � lagging behind our brothers of Indian extract.

One should not forget that the GCC, Methodist church and provincial councils supported Speight in 2000 and the army was alone. We have come to acknowledge that the army saved the day then.

Yet it seems we are slowly but surely, as if in a trance, once again drawn into the dance of death. It is time a re-evaluation of the usefulness of the GCC is done since it cannot provide the decisive leadership in Fiji's hour of need.

They faltered twice and Fiji should not wait a third time before decisiveness is exercised. In the cold light of modern day reality and economics, if someone or a unit cannot justify their position or the value they bring to the organisation, then the post is made redundant.

Why should it be any different for the GCC? Why should the country be obliged to sustain a group which is a defacto lobby group for a small militant section of the community ?

The re-evaluation needs to be done, if not in the next election, then the one after that. Their date with the bean counters should be a matter of when, not if.

Mareko Vuli
Sydney

Cuckoo's nest

I READ many letters from Anjali Devi which were constructive.

However, a vindictive style has emerged and it is probably a result of the Unity Bill unfolding unfavourably from Mr Devi's perception.

First, he was rude, likening some provincial council delegates to the idiot from the film One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest starring Jack Nicholson.

He provides a shallow analogy of Fijians and sheep being the reason for the 2000 upheaval. While no right thinking citizen condones unlawful action, his sheep analogy provides an insight to his true colour and mentality.

Mr Devi obviously never played rugby and was never caught under a ruck.

The carefree, generous spirit of Fijians is unique and coupled with his courage, will move mountains and put his life on the line for any friend if required.

Mr Devi does not understand this. Contrary to his belief, not all Fijians have Joe's brain and not all Devis have Einstein's IQ. Knowledge empowers but ignorance is dangerous.

Mr Devi's ignorance of his indigenous brothers' culture and psyche is generally interpreted as a display of rudeness and arrogance.

All the Devis out there, if you truly call Fiji home and desire real and positive changes, you should make an effort to know your indigenous brothers and sisters.

Most have spoken out through their provincial councils and chiefs. Do not make the same mistake of waving a red rag in front of a bull. Please exercise restraint, have some courtesy and listen to them.

Peni Toga
Nadi

Illegal strike

I REFER to the letter (FT 1/8) by some hotel workers in Nadi regarding the strike by the National Union of Hospitality, Catering and Tourism employees.

On the outset, I must stress strike action is allowed as the legitimate expression of the union and workers in the process of collective bargaining or negotiation over grievances.

A classic example is the strike by Tropik Wood workers which went for three weeks before a settlement was reached at the intervention of my ministry.

In the hotel workers strike, the union conducted the necessary strike ballot but did not give the required 28 days strike notice because union executives were not aware the hotel industry was now classed as an essential service.

Their grievances have been referred to the Permanent Arbitrator who will rule on it. If the workers feel they have not been paid enough, there are procedures to follow such as lodging a dispute with the Labour Ministry.

My ministry does not take sides in a dispute but will try to facilitate a settlement.
We do not employ dirty tactics as suggested in the letter. When one asks for 10 per cent or 50 per cent pay increase one must remember one can't kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

I agree that workers should not be exploited by employers and that is why we have unions and a wages council to monitor pay increase and see that all workers receive just wages.

While the worker's right to strike is intact in the country, it must be noted that rights come with responsibility and we call on workers and unions to exercise them accordingly.

Kenneth Zinck
Minister for Labour Industrial Relations and Productivity