82:
25:
481:, proposed establishing a central body to hold the land in trust and lease it to willing farmers on terms that would be uniform throughout Fiji. The pressing need of the time was to provide land for a growing population of Indo-Fijian farmers, without expropriating it from its Fijian owners, and to do so in a way that was consistent. As early as 1933, Ratu Sukuna had recognised this problem, and had told the
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a descendant of Fijian and Lauan royalty, and no other chief held a university degree. It was by hard work, however, that he earned the respect of his people. Travelling from village to village, Sukuna listened to the common people and took their concerns back to the colonial authorities. In 1940, he returned to Suva as the
308:
It was at this point in his life that the connections cultivated by Sukuna's father throughout his career proved decisive. No
Fijians to date had graduated from a university, and the British colonial administration was unwilling to encourage higher learning for the natives. However, Ratu Madraiwiwi
120:
of Fiji. He did more than anybody to lay the groundwork for self-government by fostering the development of modern institutions in Fiji, and although he died a dozen years before independence from the United
Kingdom was achieved in 1970, his vision set the course that Fiji was to follow in the years
437:
a senior chiefly title in the Lau
Islands that had been vacant for many years. In many respects, this formalised what had long been the reality that he was the most influential chief in Fiji, notwithstanding the seniority enjoyed by other chiefs. Sukuna's education complemented his lineage: he was
689:
of the
Republic of Fiji. All four had been personally selected by Ratu Sukuna for leadership, mentored by him, and educated abroad at his expense. Upon his passing Ratu Sukuna had nothing more to his name but 50 cents which was concluded that in a sense, he gave everything he had to his nation and
497:
to accept the scheme, however, was far from easy. The landowners were being asked to surrender, forever, the control of their land, and entrust its administration to a central authority that would act in the national interest, as well as that of the owners. Almost single-handedly, Ratu Sukuna set
690:
investing in the education of his successors. Long after his death, they continued to regard him as their mentor and saw the implementation of his vision as their sacred responsibility. Even today, now that the torch has been passed to a younger generation, most Fijian politicians, even from the
502:
in Fiji. Rather than rely on radio broadcasts or printed flyers, he determined to take the proposal in person to every village in the country. After explaining it to the people, he would leave to allow the idea to percolate and would return later to answer more questions. If necessary, he would
641:
Although he did not live to see Fiji gain its independence (in 1970), the role he played in the pre-independence years was crucial; without him, there might not have been a Fijian state or its creation would almost certainly have been delayed. Not only was his personal role decisive, he also
511:, the then Governor, described as "one of the greatest acts of faith and trust in colonial history." Ratu Sukuna himself was assigned the task of examining each landholding and deciding what portion should be reserved for the present and future needs of the
276:
and then back again, before sailing for the mission field in Fiji. Determined that Sukuna should receive the best education possible, his father arranged for him to receive private tuition from Andrew. He was a strict teacher, beating Sukuna on occasion.
487:
We regard the Indian desire for more permanent tenancy as a natural and legitimate consequence an agricultural community settling in any country. But how was this desire to be reconciled with the need to protect the interests of present and future Fijian
152:
After joining the Audit Office as a clerk at an early age, Ratu
Madraiwiwi had steadily worked his way up through the civil service, establishing connections along the way that were later to prove decisive in the life of his son. Ratu Sukuna's mother,
423:, as a district and provincial commissioner. The same year, he was appointed to the Legislative Council to represent the Fijian people. (At that time, non-European members were appointed, rather than elected). In this capacity, Sukuna attended the
367:, a policy rationalised by a wish to avoid exploiting the native people. Believing that Fijians would never gain the respect of their British rulers, without proving their worth on the battlefield, Sukuna enlisted in the
375:, a newly formed contingent assisting the British Army. Apparently, the British colonial authorities had had a change of heart about native participation in the war. For his wartime service, Ratu Sukuna was awarded the
534:
382:
Now a war hero, Ratu Sukuna had no difficulty raising funds for his return to Oxford. Towards the end of 1918, he graduated from the history course that was shortened for returned servicemen. He proceeded to the
780:
Fijian culture understands Sukuna to be Mara's uncle (he was a relative, in his father's generation). British culture understands them to be second cousins, once removed (Mara's father shared grandparents with
458:(a relative of Sukuna's) fought with distinction. At long last, Fijians had begun to earn the respect of the British authorities, and after the war, they began steps towards fostering self-government in Fiji.
549:, the Legislative Council provided a venue for Fiji's future leaders to gain experience in the workings of government. In 1956, Ratu Sukuna encouraged the formation of Fiji's first political party, the
473:
farmers. Prior to 1940, each clan individually negotiated the terms of leasing the land to those who farmed it, resulting in a wide variation of lease terms. As most landholdings were small, few
478:
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321:. May's influence persuaded the British Colonial Secretary, reluctantly, to grant Sukuna a one-year leave of absence from his responsibilities in Fiji to study history at
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526:. He said that while self-government was indeed the goal in the South Pacific, it would have to be of a kind that the local people could understand and work with.
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instead. He fought bravely and was wounded towards the end of 1915 and forced to return to Fiji. He returned to France the following year, however, with the
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550:
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300:, New Zealand. He proved to be a bright pupil. He was a strong debater, played rugby and cricket, and became the Wanganui Collegiate boxing champion.
288:, as though he had studied diction with the royal family" – a compliment rarely paid even to a native speaker, let alone one who knew English only as a
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317:, and in 1911 asked him to try to arrange for his son to study at a British university on the grounds that he had passed the matriculation exams at
848:
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Meanwhile, Sukuna had become
Secretary for Fijian Affairs. In 1944, he reestablished the Native Regulations Board, later renamed the
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573:(1934–2000) in September 1957, eight months before his death. Neither marriage produced any children, and his successor as the
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return again and again, gradually building a consensus in favour of the plan. Finally, after a long and vigorous debate, the
957:
589:, of Naseakula, Macuata) was the only child and daughter of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna as a result of a de facto relationship with
116:(22 April 1888 – 30 May 1958) was a Fijian chief, scholar, soldier, and statesman. He is regarded as the forerunner of the
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450:
effort. The
British government had completely reversed its former position of not permitting natives to enlist, and the
50:
533:
in 1939, and awarded a knighthood in 1946, in recognition of his services to Fiji. After receiving a second knighthood
376:
832:
813:
760:
Several sources on the web wrongly state that Sukuna married
Likutabua in 1950, and that she died in 1958. In fact,
68:
947:
329:, in 1913. Financial constraints had prevented him from realising his dream of pursuing a four-year law degree at
39:
705:, described Ratu Sukuna as "a great and noble man ... whose foresight and vision still impacts on our future."
360:
399:
Meanwhile, Sukuna's father had died in 1920, and he had to return to Fiji to take his place as head of the
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mentored several of the men who were to play pivotal roles in the post-independence years. His nephew,
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Although he was not accorded a chiefly title from Bau his birthplace, he was installed as the second
522:. Then in 1950, he was appointed as an advisor to the British delegation to the Fourth Committee at
902:
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292:. Largely as a result of Andrew's influence, the young Ratu Sukuna was sent to the prestigious
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407:, a skirt worn by men, which became Fiji's national dress. He became a chief assistant in the
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in 1954. Although it was only partially elected and had few of the powers of the modern
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as referenced in the TRY Lakeba. He held the title of Tui Lau until his death in 1958.
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Throughout his life, Ratu Sukuna was regarded as a credible contender for the title of
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One of Ratu Sukuna's greatest achievements was his role in the establishment of the
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Fiji : the three-legged stool : selected writings of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna
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were able to develop their plots to any large degree. The then colonial governor,
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a journal type entry written by Ratu Sukuna and edited into a book by Deryk Scarr
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827:. London: Macmillan Education for the Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Biography Committee.
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degree. He thus became the first-ever Fijian to receive a university degree.
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later said of him that he spoke
English with "the bell-like tones of standard
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Sukuna's exposure to diverse cultures came early. Although Sukuna was an
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in 1938 following the traditional process of consultation between the
601:. Ratu Sukuna had acknowledged Adi Sovanatabua as his daughter. Roko
210:
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351:, 1918 after service in France and Before he left again for England
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242:
808:. Suva, Fiji: USP Solutions, University of the South Pacific.
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490:" The Native Land Trust Board scheme emerged as a solution.
355:
Ratu Sukuna had little time to settle down to his studies.
336:
531:
Commander of the Most
Excellent Order of the British Empire
387:
in London, and by 1921 had graduated with both a BA and an
137:, the largest island in the Fiji archipelago. His father,
96:
933:
I-Taukei Fijian members of the Legislative Council of Fiji
908:
Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
280:
Sukuna proved to be an exceptionally able student; author
537:
in 1953, Ratu Sukuna was appointed the first native-born
102:
803:
771:, dying in May 2000. She was buried on 3 May that year.
515:
and what portion should be made available for leasing.
806:
20th century Fiji : people who shaped this nation
446:. In 1942 he set about recruiting Fijian men for the
694:
community, regard themselves as heirs of his legacy.
913:
Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
435:(Protector of the Tongans of Sawana in Vanuabalavu),
359:broke out and Sukuna applied for enlistment in the
797:Ratu Sukuna: Soldier, Statesman, Man of two worlds
260:. One of the teachers at the school was the Rev.
248:, who later served from 1917 to 1929 as the first
616:Ratu Sukuna died en route to England on the ship
565:Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna was married twice, first to
874:
425:coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
411:in 1922, and a decade later he was stationed in
923:People educated at Whanganui Collegiate School
465:. Most of the land of Fiji was owned by the
847:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
191:from 1770 to 1803 and Adi Ufia from Lakeba.
943:Speakers of the Legislative Council of Fiji
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183:. Ratu Vuibureta was the sixth son of Ratu
53:of quality, and to make it neutral in tone.
403:, or clan. He brought with him a tailored
823:Sukuna, Lala, Sir; Scarr, Deryck (1983).
804:Stewart Firth; Daryl Tarte, eds. (2001).
129:Sukuna was born into a chiefly family on
69:Learn how and when to remove this message
681:became the last Governor-General of the
646:, became a world figure as Fiji's first
622:, on 30 May 1958. He was buried at the
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264:. Andrew was a colourful character, an
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498:about explaining the proposal to every
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165:(High Chief of Lau) and father of Ratu
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928:Soldiers of the French Foreign Legion
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430:In 1938, Sukuna was installed as the
175:of Bau was born in 1815, son of Ratu
105:Josefa Lalabalavu Vanayaliyali Sukuna
869:information on Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna.
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16:Fijian chief and soldier (1888–1958)
440:Native Lands Reserves Commissioner.
309:was personally acquainted with the
13:
569:(1903–1956) in 1928, and later to
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799:. London: Macmillan. p. 220.
233:, his father enrolled him at the
938:Alumni of Wadham College, Oxford
638:alongside great leaders of Lau.
585:(later Dimuri, when she married
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347:and other chieftains of Lau in
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256:(the forerunner to the present
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163:Ratu Alifereti Finau Ulukalala
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953:Politicians from Bau (island)
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605:was the first cousin of Ratu
442:That year he was awarded the
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697:Fiji's third constitutional
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88:Sir Lala Sukuna, circa 1940s
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673:as its first native-born
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867:Native Lands Trust Board
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948:Politicians from Lakeba
679:Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau
664:Ratu Sir George Cakobau
656:Ratu Sir Edward Cakobau
505:Great Council of Chiefs
493:Persuading the various
483:Great Council of Chiefs
463:Native Land Trust Board
409:Native Lands Commission
145:noble and rebel leader
795:Scarr, Deryck (1980).
644:Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
597:, the brother of Ratu
591:Roko Melaia Lutukivuya
579:Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara
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34:may be written from a
767:15 March 2005 at the
666:became the country's
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583:Adi Alani Sovanatabua
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167:Tevita Uluilakeba III
141:, was the son of the
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40:neutral point of view
650:and later served as
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520:Fijian Affairs Board
304:War hero and Scholar
185:Banuve Baleivavalagi
139:Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi
133:, off the island of
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543:Legislative Council
509:Sir Philip Mitchell
456:Ratu Edward Cakobau
427:in London in 1937.
254:Legislative Council
36:fan's point of view
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357:World War I
250:Indo-Fijian
47:clean it up
877:Categories
789:References
730:1938–1958
268:-educated
258:Parliament
225:Early life
843:cite book
748:Footnotes
699:President
687:President
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513:mataqali,
467:mataqali,
331:Cambridge
211:Tui Nayau
177:Vuibureta
159:Tui Nayau
135:Viti Levu
121:to come.
781:Sukuna).
765:Archived
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668:de facto
628:Sau Tabu
500:mataqali
495:mataqali
475:mataqali
413:Lomaloma
401:mataqali
298:Wanganui
270:Anglican
196:Tui Viti
187:the 3rd
179:and Adi
918:Tui Lau
726:Tui Lau
619:Arcadia
575:Tui Lau
541:of the
433:Tui Lau
419:in the
365:Fijians
345:Tui Lau
343:Sukuna
213:, Ratu
203:Tui Lau
125:Lineage
45:Please
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677:; and
636:Lakeba
626:, the
417:Lakeba
327:Oxford
266:Oxford
243:Pandit
632:Tubou
405:isulu
171:Ratu
143:Bauan
111:
849:link
829:ISBN
810:ISBN
535:KCMG
389:LL.B
341:Ratu
109:KCMG
97:Ratu
86:Ratu
630:in
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