THE SOCIAL AND MORAL CONDITIONS OF INDIAN WOMEN IN FIJI.

White Ribbon, Volume 25, Issue 292, 19 October 1919, Page 11

THE SOCIAL AND MORAL CONDITIONS OF INDIAN WOMEN IN FIJI.

(>4 Tanered St. f I.inwood, ChCh, October 3, 1910

Dear Editor, —The readers of “White Ribbon ’ will In* glad to learn that the efforts of the Committee of Enquiry into the social and mora 1 conditions of women in Fiji have nu t with considerable success. The following letter and resolutions are the latest communications I have had from the* Committee* of Enquiry.Yours etc., C. HENDERSON, Hon. Cor. Sec. W.C.T.I’. Colonial Secretary's Office, Suva, Fiji, 1 ith July, ic)iq. Madam,—With reference to my letter of the 23rd May last, 1 am directed by the Governor to enclose, for the information of the Committee* of Enquiry into the social and moral conditions of Indian women in Fiji, copies of resolutions adopted unanimously by the* Legislative Council of Fiji at a meeting held on the ist instant.

2. I am to add that the Select ( ommittee recommended by the Legisla tive Coune tl has been appointed by the Governor, and that it is hoped that its report will be received in tinie for consideration at the' next meeting of the Council. i am. Madam, vour obedient servant, (Sgd.s R. RANKINS. Acting Colonial Secretary.. The Honorary Secretary, Committee of Enquiry into the Social and Moral Conditions of Indian Women in Fiji. Resolution. That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report: (1) What steps might Ik* taken to bring about an adjustment of the sex ratio among East Indians in the Colony. (*> What steps should be taken to improve the housing accommodation of East Indians employed as labourers on plantations,

so as to ensure that each mai lied couple* shall occupc a separate house, and that single men and single women shall be housed in quarters some dis tance apart. (3) What steps should be taken: (a) To improve the medical and nursing arrangements. (b) To extend the educational and religious facilities for East Indians generally. (41 Whal further steps should be taken for tin* general improvement of conditions affecting East Indians. Resolution. (1) That the indentures of all Fast Indian immigrants allotted to employers under the provisions of the Indian Immigration Ordinal)' e, IX9I, whose period of service has not expired on the ist August, >920, Ik* cancelled, with effect from that date. 12) Ihat employers of labour, the indentures of whose immigrants are cancelled as above, be* paid from public funds an amount in respect of each immigrant, which shall bear the same proportion to the cost of introduction of such immigrant as the unexpired period of the indenture shall bear to the whole period thereof.