Fiji Strike Recalled

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31119, 23 July 1966, Page 22

Fiji Strike Recalled

A former beachcomber in Fiji (Mr T. Fletcher) exchanged memories with the secretary of the Fijian Government Workers’ Union (Mr Jope Kilailakeba) in the Canterbury Trades Hall this week. Mr Fletcher is national secretary of the New Zealand Rubber Workers’ Association. Mr Kilailakeba was surprised to learn that Mr Fletcher, as a “king” jackhammer operator in Fiji in 1941, had participated in the first strike in Fiji’s industrial history. "About 700 of us Kiwis were in a civilian gang building an airstrip near Lautoka,” said Mr Fletcher. “Unfortunately, at the time there

were several misunderstandings over working conditions and victualling. We went on strike. “The Prime Minister (Mr Peter Fraser) and Paddy Webb, flew up from New Zealand about the third day of the strike. Of course, the strike soon finished after that” Mr Fletcher said that in talking to Mr Kilailakeba ■ he had learned that I conditions had improved very much for the workers In Fiji. When Mr Fletcher was in ■ Fiji, the local labour received • 3s a day. Mr Kilailakeba said that the > lowest rate in his union to- ; day was 2s 2d an hour for • labourers. The highest rate was 7s lid an hour for trades- > men such as mechanics and ■ carpenters, as well as for - leading hands of various - trades. > Some Fijians still did not ap-

preciate the value of trade unions, he said. It was hoped that guest speakers would go from New Zealand and Australia to help knit the unions in Fiji together. Mr Kilailakeba said he had discovered that trade unions in New Zealand were very advanced in their organisation. Yesterday afternoon he was the guest of Canterbury trade : union secretaries and officials in the Trades Hall at an informal meeting where he spoke about the trade union movement in Fiji. Mr Kilailakeba came to ■ Canterbury with 50 Fijian ■ nassella tussock workers for the Cheviot and Waiau districts. He expects to return to New Zealand each three months with new batches. The picture shows Mr Kilailakeba shaking hands with Mr Fletcher.