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\qr \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 \fs20\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315 [1993] 39 FLR 191
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid15680315 COURT OF APPEAL OF FIJI
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 JAMES MICHAEL AH KOY
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315 -}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 v}{
\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315 -}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 THE REGISTRATION OFFICER FOR THE SUVA CITY FIJIAN URBAN CONSTITUENCY
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 [Court of Appeal, 1993 (Helsham P, K}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315 
api, Williams J.J.A), 20 August]}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Civil Jurisdiction
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid16062778 Constitution}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid16062778 -}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid16062778 elections}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid16062778 -}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid16062778  roll of voters who are "Fijian "}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid16062778 -}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9643425  }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid16062778 effect of registration on Vola Ni Kawa Bula}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid16062778 -}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid16062778  Constitution (1990) Section 156 (a) }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid16062778 -}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid16062778 
 Native Lands Act (Cap 133) Section 21.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16062778 
\par On appeal from the H}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 igh Court the Fiji Court of Appeal, 
allowing the appeal, discussed the proper approach to the interpretation of Constitutions, the meaning of section 156 (a) of the 1990 Constitution and the effect of registration on the Vola }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11160987 N}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 i Kawa Bula.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16062778 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid16062778 Cases cited:
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16062778\charrsid16062778 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid16062778 Attorney General for New Zealand }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid16062778 -}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid16062778 v}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid16062778 -}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16062778\charrsid16062778  Brown}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16062778  [}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 1917}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16062778 ]}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  AC 393. }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16062778 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid16062778 Minister for Home Affairs and Anor v Fisher}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16062778  [}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 1979}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16062778 ] }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 3 All ER 21 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11501466 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid11501466 Murdoch }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid11501466 -}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid11501466 v}{
\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid11501466 -}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11501466\charrsid11501466  British Israel Federation}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11501466  [1}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 942] NZLR 600
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11501466\charrsid11501466 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid11501466 B N. Sweetman}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11501466 for the Appellant.
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid11501466 A. Rabo}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  for the Respondent. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11501466 
\par }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid11501466 F.}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid11501466  }{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid11501466 Jitoko}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  as Amicus Curiae.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11501466 
\par }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid11160987 Kapi JA:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11501466 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
The Native Lands Act Cap 133 (hereinafter referred to as NLA) introduced a system of registration of land owning units amongst the indigenous inhabitants of Fiji. The record of registration is known as Vola ni Kawa Bula (hereinafter referred to as VKB). I
t
 contains entry of names of persons comprising the proprietary unit in respect of native land. The Native Lands Commission (hereinafter referred to as NLC) has the sole jurisdiction in determining or confirming eligibility for registration on the VKB. The
 
question of who is eligible to be registered on the VKB is governed by custom, tradition and practice. A decision by the NLC on eligibility for registration on VKB is final and conclusive and cannot be questioned in any court of law (ss. 100 (4), 156 (1) 
(a) Constitution of the Sovereign Democratic Republic of Fiji (hereinafter referred to as the Constitution).
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11501466 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 The appellant was }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7620396 b}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
orn in Fiji. His mother, an indigenous inhabitant of Fiji was also born in Fiji but his father, a Chinese was born in China}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7620396 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
 In 1989, the appellant applied and was registered on the VKB by the NLC in accordance with custom, tradition and practice.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7620396 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 The electoral rolls in Fiji are based on ethnic groupings}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11160987  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
under}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7620396  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 s}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7620396 . 41}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7620396 (}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 2)(a) of the Constitution. Under this provision, voters are 
required to be enrolled under four separate rolls:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7620396 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7620396 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 (a)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11160987 roll of voters who are Fijians;}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7620396 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7620396 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7620396 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 (b)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 roll of voters who are Indians}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11160987 ;}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7620396 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7620396 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7620396 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 (c)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 roll of voters who are Rotumans; and
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7620396 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7620396 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7620396 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 (d)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 roll of }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7620396 voters who are neither Fijians, }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Indians nor Rotumans}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7620396 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7620396 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 On the 4 September 1991 the appellant applied to be registered as a voter}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11160987 o
}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 n}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2117182  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
the Fijian Roll for the Suva City Fijian Urban Constituency.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
On 13 February1992 an objection to the appellant's inclusion on the roll was lodged by one Akariva Nabati. The ground of objection was that the appellant was not a "Fijian"}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 within the meaning of section 1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11160987 5}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
6(a) of the Constitution and therefor}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2117182 e }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 not entitled to be regis}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 
tered on the Fijian Roll of V}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2117182 oters}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11160987  for Fijians}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 .}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11160987  The respondent sustained the objection on the basis that the appellant\rquote s father is not a Fijian and therefore not eligible to be registered on the Fijian Roll of Voters.
\par 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 The appellant applied to the High Court for declarations:
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7744339 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 (1) t}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 hat }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 he is entitled to be registered on the roll of voters who are Fijians established by s.41(2)(a) of the Constitution.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7744339 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7744339 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 (2) that he is entitled to }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 be registered on the
}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339  Electoral }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Roll}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339  for the Suva City Fijian Urban Constituency.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7744339 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315 The second declaration is dependent on the first.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315 The High Court refuse}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 d}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315  both applications}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315  The appellant has appealed against the decision of the High Court.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315 The central issue in this appeal relate to whet}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11160987 her}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339  the appellant is a \'93
Fijian\'94 within }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315 the meaning of s}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339  156}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315 
(a) of the Constitution.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315 It reads}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 :
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid7744339 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 \'93}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315 156.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339  For the purposes of this C}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315 onst}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 it}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315 ution}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339  -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7744339 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid7744339 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315 (a)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315 a person shall be regarded as a Fijian if and shall not be so regarded unless his father or any of his male progenitors in the male line is or wa}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 s the child of parents both of whom }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 are or were indigenous inhabitants of Fiji and his name is registered or eligible}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339  to be registered in the Vola n}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
i Kawa Bula and include persons who are registered or eligible registered in the Vola ni Kawa Bula by virtue of custom, tradition and practice:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid7744339 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid7744339 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Provided that a person's registration or eligibility for regi}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7744339 stration on the Vola ni Kawa Bul}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
a shall be confirmed or determined as the case may be by the Native Lands Commission whose confirmation or decision shall be final and conclusive.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6692077 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid6692077 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 (b)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 a person shall be regarded as a Rotuman if}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6692077 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
 and shall not be so regarded un}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6692077 less, he is of Rotuman descent, }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 whether through his male pro}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10093852 genitors or female progenitors, }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 the eligibility of a person under this subsection shall be determined or }
{\field\fldedit{\*\fldinst {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid6692077  HYPERLINK http://confirmed.as }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7621629\charrsid6692077 {\*\datafield 
00d0c9ea79f9bace118c8200aa004ba90b0200000003000000e0c9ea79f9bace118c8200aa004ba90b2a00000068007400740070003a002f002f0063006f006e006600690072006d00650064002e00610073002f000000000000}}}{\fldrslt {
\cs15\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid6692077 confirmed}{\cs15\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6692077 ,}{\cs15\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid6692077  as}}}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid6692077  the case }{\field\fldedit{\*\fldinst {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid6692077  HYPERLINK http://be.by }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7621629\charrsid6692077 {\*\datafield 00d0c9ea79f9bace118c8200aa004ba90b0200000003000000e0c9ea79f9bace118c8200aa004ba90b1c00000068007400740070003a002f002f00620065002e00620079002f000000000000}}}{\fldrslt {
\cs15\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6692077 be, }{\cs15\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid6692077 by}}}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10093852  the Council of Rotuma;}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6692077 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6692077\charrsid6692077 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid6692077 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6692077 (c) }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid6692077 a person}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid6692077  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid6692077 shall }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6692077 
be regarded as an Indian if, and shall not be so regarded }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10093852 un}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid6692077 less, his fat}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 her or any of his earlier male progenitors in the male line is or was the child of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 parents both of whom are or were indigeno}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378 us inhabitants of the sub}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10093852 -}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 continent of India}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378 :}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4799378 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid4799378 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378 Provided that where the identity}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
 of the father of an}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378 y}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  person cannot be ascertained, the male progenitors of that person may instead be traced thro}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7241277 ugh that person's mother.\'94}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 The problem of interpretation presented by this provision is not an easy one. This is clear from}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378 
 the judgment of the High Court. Where a court is face w}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 ith the task of construing the language of a provision of a constitution which is }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid4799378 ambiguous in its }{\field\fldedit{\*\fldinst {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid4799378  HYPERLINK http://terms.it }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7621629\charrsid4799378 {\*\datafield 00d0c9ea79f9bace118c8200aa004ba90b0200000003000000e0c9ea79f9bace118c8200aa004ba90b2200000068007400740070003a002f002f007400650072006d0073002e00690074002f000000000000}}
}{\fldrslt {\cs15\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378 terms}{\cs15\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid4799378  it}}}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid4799378  must}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
 bear in mind certain principles of interpretation peculiar to constitutional documents. The ordinary rules of statutory interpretation are not entirely irrelevant but that they must be applied }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378 
with caution. In }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378\charrsid4551190 Minister for H}{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid4551190 ome Affairs and }{
\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378\charrsid4551190 A}{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid4551190 nor }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378\charrsid4551190 v.}{
\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid4551190  Fisher}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378 [}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 19}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378 7}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 9] 3 All ER }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4799378 21,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  Lord Wilberforce suggested that Courts must avoid what has been regarded as }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4551190 \'93}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 austerit}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4551190 y}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  of tabulated legalism.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4551190 \'94}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
 The courts must bear in mind that constitutional documents purport to state fundamental principles relating }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 to its citizens and their primary}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  role is to ascertain the intention of }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10093852 the}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
 constitutional framers with regard to the subject matter in question. This calls for a generous and a purposive approach in their interpretation. I bear these principles in mind in interpreting this provision.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Section 156 deals with three ethnic groups}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 - }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 "}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 Fijians\'94, \'93Rotumans\'94 and \'93}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Indian}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 \'94. In }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 this case, we are concerned with "Fijians" only (s. 156 (a) of the Constitution}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 It may be helpful to identify the different groups of p}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10093852 ersons referred to under s. 156}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 (a) of the Constitution. When read as a whole, the provision refers to the following groups of people:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6032715 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 (1)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 persons whose grand parents (through the father or any other male }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 progenitors thr}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 ough}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 the}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 
 male line) both of whom are }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10093852 or }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 were indigenous inhabitants of Fiji.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6032715 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 (2)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 where the father is not known, persons whose grand parents (through the mother's father or other
 male progenitors through the male line) both of whom are or were indigenous inhabitants of Fiji.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6032715 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 (3)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 persons who are registered or eligible to be registered on the VKB by virtue of custom, tradition and practice.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 The first two groups of people would fall under what I will call the patri}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10093852 -}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 lineal descent requirement. This requirement is fairly clear. The appellant does not fall within this group because his father is known and he was a C}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 hinese.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 The third group is determined by registration}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715  on the VKB by virtue of custom,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  tradition }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6032715 and practice. This group calls for a closer examination. }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 The appropriate custom, tradition and practice applicable here is the appellant's mother's custom.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4199077  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 The appellant's mother was registered on the VKB of the Tokatoka Vuniutorea, Mata}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10093852 q}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 ali Naibiti, Yavusa Naibiti of the Village of Waisomo Tikina of Tavuki in Kadavu }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10093852 (paragraph 12 of the affidavit).}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4199077 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 The undisputed evidence of the relevant custom is provided in the affidavit of }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4199077 Ilaitia Kuru}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 kace Caginavanua sworn the 6th April 1992. I refer to the relevant paragraphs:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4199077 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4199077 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
"4. That in accordance with Fijian customs a person whose father or any of whose male progenitors in the male line is or was the child of Parents both of whom are or were indigenous inhabitants of Fiji is eligible as o
f right to be registered in the Vola ni Kawa Bula.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4199077 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4199077 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 5.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 That there are different customs for different provinces of Fiji governing the rules concerning the rights o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4199077 
f a person to choose to be a mem}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 ber of either his father or his mother's unit.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4199077 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid13186379 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 6.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 That provisions for the entry of illegitimate children into the Vola ni Kawa Bu}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4199077 la are provided for under Section 21 }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13186379  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 the Native Lands Act. A true copy of page }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10093852 11}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  of the Native Lands Act showing the Section referred to abov}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4065323 
e is attached at Annexure IKC 1.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4065323 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4065323\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4065323 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702\charrsid5797702 7. }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid5797702 
That an illegitimate child whose mother is eligible for registration in the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 Vola}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid5797702 
 ni Kawa Bula as of right but who is not himself eligible as of ri}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 ght, may be registered in the Vo}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid5797702 
la ni Kawa Bula if such person has been a}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10093852 ccepted into his mother\rquote s}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702  mataq}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid5797702 a}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 l}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid5797702 i i
n accordance with the custom, tradition and practice prevailing in the area concerned.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid5797702 8.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315\charrsid5797702  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid5797702 That customs such as that relating to the right of a person to be a member of his mother's mataqali are recorded in a book of record kept with the Commission, called
 the "Tukutuku Raraba", which contains statements taken on oath during the first investigation of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  the Commission in any particular area.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 9. That }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 customs for the Tikina of Tavuk}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 i in Kadavu where the plaintiff\rquote s mataq}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 ali comes under were recopied in the Tuk
utuku Raraba during the sitting of the Commission at Tavuki village on 25th November 1929.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 10. That during such sitting of the Commission the statement for Yavusa Nacolase given by Ratu V}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10093852 i}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 litati Lacabuka contained references to the right of a person to be entered in his m}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 other's mataq}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10093852 ali}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  for the Tikina of Tavuki provided that her relatives are so
 desirous and had performed the necessary traditional customs. A true copy of the relevant part of the Tukutuku Raraba referred to is attached as Annexure IKC 2 and the translation is at Annexure IKC 3.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 11.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 That in the case of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702  a person}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  whose father is a no}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 n}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 Fijian wh}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
o is required to be entered into the mother's mata}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 q}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
ali in any area of Fiji the Commission conducts a formal investigation to ensure that customs and traditions recorded in the "Tukutuku Raraba" and/or those in practice are fully complied with in addition to ensuring the following:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 a)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 He is related through ties of cognate blood to a registered member of a mataqali (mother).
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 b)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 There is a general consensus by members of the mata}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 q}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
ali for his entry to be a member.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 c)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702  He is well known to members o
f the mataqali and will have spent part of his lifetime living with them or constantly visits their village.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 d) He is familiar with and respects the customs and traditions of the Yavusa and the Vanua.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 e) He does not belong to a religion, sect or cult, the practice}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid529292  of which are likely to cause ill}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702  will or disharmony amongst the village.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
f) The mataqali has set aside a parcel of land and fishing rights area from mataqali holdings for beneficial occupation by the new member and his descendants for their future use, maintenance and support.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 g) }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4682293 The mataqali has set aside a house site \'93yavu\'94
 within the village precints for him to build a home.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4682293 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4682293 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid5797702 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4682293 
h) He is proved to be a useful member of the mataqali by his efforts and contributions of resources on communal and traditional obligations to the mataqali, the Yavusa and the Vanua.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4682293 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 12.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 That the plaintiff's mother was registered as of right in the Vola ni Kawa Bula of the }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4682293 Tokatoka Vuniutorea}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid529292 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4682293  Mataqa}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 li Naibati, Yavusa Naibati of the village of Waisomo Tikina of Tavuki i
n Kadavu}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid529292 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4682293 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 13.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 That in accordance with the custom and procedures of the Commi}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid529292 ssion as set out in paragraph 11}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  above and the fact that he also qualified as of right under Section 21 of the Native Lands Act mentioned at paragraph 6 above, the plaintiff too was registered from 1989 as }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid529292 a member of Tokatoka Vuniutorea,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  Mataqali Naibi}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 ti, of Yavusa Naibiti after the }
{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 application for his registration."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Acc}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4682293 ording to this evidence, custom,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
 tradition and practice in question requires that a person must have patrilineal descendants who are or were indigenous inhabitants of Fiji to be registered on the VKB as of right (see paragraph }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid529292 4}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  of the affidavit). However, it goes much further and allows persons who do not have such patrilineal descendants to be registered on the VKB under certain circumstances (see Paragraphs 7
}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 13 of the affidavit).
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5797702 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5725260 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5725260 The patrilineal descent requirement by s 156}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5725260\charrsid15680315 
(a) is different from the requirement of patrilineal descent 
in custom. The former is a constitutional requirement and relates to the definition of a "Fijian". It is subject to its own terms. The latter is a requirement under custom and relates to the question of eligibility to be registered on the VKB. It is subje
ct to the principles of custom a}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14168414 nd the proviso set out under s.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5725260\charrsid15680315 100}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid529292  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5725260\charrsid15680315 (3) of the Constitution. This distinction is important.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4682293 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11605963 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid529292 Section 156(a) is divided into two parts, namely the patrilineal descent requirement (which cove
rs the first two groups of people I have outlined above) and registration on the VKB (the third group of people). These tw
o requirements are literally expressed in cumulative terms. The trial judge simply read the provision literally and concluded that two parts are cumulative. 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15360331 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 Registration on the VKB was not part of the definition of the word "Fijian" in the 1970 Constitution. When the requirement for regist
ration on the VKB was added to the definition of "Fijian" in the present Constitution, the Legislature intended that the principles of custom tradition and practice in relation to registration on the VKB should be recognised and given effect to. This inte
ntion is mad}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12003810 e Plain by the proviso to s 156}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 (a).
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid4589862 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4589862 The construction given by the trial judge has one major difficulty. While the patrilineal requirement under first part of s 156}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2246185  (a) is consi
stent with the customary}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid4589862  requirement for the same for purposes of registration on the}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315  }
{\field\fldedit{\*\fldinst {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid2246185  HYPERLINK http://VKB.it }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7621629\charrsid2246185 {\*\datafield 
00d0c9ea79f9bace118c8200aa004ba90b0200000003000000e0c9ea79f9bace118c8200aa004ba90b1e00000068007400740070003a002f002f0076006b0062002e00690074002f000000000000}}}{\fldrslt {\cs15\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2246185 VKB, }{
\cs15\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid2246185 it}}}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid2246185  is}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 
 in conflict with the registration }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2246185 of a person whose father is known}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315  to be a non}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 Fijian but registered}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2246185  on the VKB by virtue of custom,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315  tradition and practice}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2246185 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 
 The trial judge was not unaware of th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2246185 is. He resolved this conflict by simply}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315  finding that the w}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2246185 ords following "include" really}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12003810  add nothing and have no}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315  meaning at all.

\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2246185 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 With respect to the trial Judg}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2167777 e, in coming to this conclusion,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315  he fell into error}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2167777 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315  This is particularly import}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2167777 ant because the terms of s 156}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 (a) introduced the application of a customary}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12003810 
 principle. It was clearly the in}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 tention of the legislature to giv}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2167777 e full effect to this customary }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 principles}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2167777 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 
 The Court should adopt an interpretation that would give effect to this intention. I would construe this provision in the manner suggested by counsel for the appellant and the Solicitor General and that is that the patrilineal descent requirement 
in the first part is an alternative definition to registration }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10436073 on the VKB by v}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2167777 irtue of custom, }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 tradition}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10436073  and practice. Read in this way,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315  there can be }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2167777 no conflict with }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 the two parts.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 By introducing the concept o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10436073 f registration on the VKB in s}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12003810  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 156 (a) of the Constitution the Legislature must have intended to include a much wider group of persons accepted as Fijians under custom.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2167777 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11366597 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315 This construction does not violate the words used b}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12003810 y}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963\charrsid15680315  the Legislature. The effect of this construction is that the word "and' which appears after the words}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid15680315 ".}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12003810 .}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid15680315 .indigenous inhabitants of Fiji}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597 " is construed to mean "or". This}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid15680315  is permissible under the ordinary rules of construction to give true meaning to a provision. }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid11366597 
Murdoch -v- British Israel}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597  }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid11366597 Federation}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid11366597  [}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597 1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid15680315 942] N}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597 ZLR 600 and }{
\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid11366597 Attorney General for New Zealand -v- Brown}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597  [}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid15680315 
1917] AC 393.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid11366597 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597 The C}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid15680315 onstitutio}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597 n }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid15680315 must}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12003810  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid15680315 be read as a whole to give it its true meaning. The construction I have adopted is consistent with other provisions of the Constitution. Section 42 (3) provides:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5520368 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid15680315 "No person s
hall be qualified to stand for election as a member of the House of Representatives referred to in section 42 (3) of this Constitution in any constituency unless his name is registered or is eli}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12003810 
gible to be registered in the Vo}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid15680315 la ni Kawa Bula:}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid11366597 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid15680315 Provided tha
t a person's registration or eligibility for registration in the Vola ni Kawa Bula shall be confirmed or determined as the c}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597 ase may be by the Native Lands }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid15680315 Commission whose}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597  confirmation or decision shall be final and conclusive.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11366597\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11605963 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5520368 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5520368\charrsid15680315 Section 49 (6) is similarly worded:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4682293 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5520368 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5520368\charrsid15680315 "No person shall be entitled to be registered as a voter on the roll of}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5520368  voters }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12003810 referred to in section 41(2) }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5520368\charrsid15680315 
(a) of this Constitution unless his name is registered or is eligible to be registered in the Vola ni Kawa Bula:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid5520368 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5520368 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid5520368 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5520368\charrsid15680315 
Provided that a person's registration or eligibility for registration in the Nola ni Kawa Bula shall be confirmed or determined as the case may be by the Native Lands Commission whose confirmation or decision shall be final and conclusive."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5725260 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid10623357 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10623357\charrsid15680315 
These provisions recognise and give full effect to registration of persons on the VKB in accordance with custom. In fact the very question of entitlement to register on the roll of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid12003810 
 Fijian established under s. 41}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10623357\charrsid15680315 (2) (a) of the Con}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10623357 stitution is addressed by s. 49}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10623357\charrsid15680315 (6) of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10623357  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10623357\charrsid15680315 
the Constitution. It simply requires registration on the VKB. The question of eligibility for registration is governed by custom and the decision of the NLC on this question is final and conclusive. Section 156 (a) of the Constitution is couche
d in similar terms with regard to registration on the VKB. A construction I have adopted of s. 156 (a) is in perfect harmony with these provisions and gives effect to the same principle. The appellant need only show his registration on the VKB to be regis
t}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4282941 ered on}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10623357\charrsid15680315  the roll of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4282941  Fijians established under s 41}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10623357\charrsid15680315 (2) of the Constitution.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5520368 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15672163 I would allow the appeal on this ground.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par The trial Judge found an alternative basis for refusing the declarations sought}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15672163 . As I understand his ruling, he }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 found}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15672163  that even if registration }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 an}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4282941 d}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
 the VKB is an alternative meaning of a "Fijian" under s. 156 (a) of the Constitution, the appellant was wrongly registered on the VKB and therefore such registration is invalid. The trial judge came to this conclusion on the basis that NLC had ex
ceeded it's jurisdiction in that it wrongly applied s. 21 of the NLA. He concluded:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15672163 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15672163 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
"In my opinion the Commission in deciding that the Plaintiff was qualified as of right by the Native Lands Act to registration on the VKB made an error not as to customary
 law but as to the interpretation of section 21. As is clear from the affidavit the Commission has been under the impression that section 21 enables it to register any illegitimate child. That is incorrect.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15672163 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 In the view I tak}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15672163 e}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4282941  of result of this appeal, it}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 is not necessary to consider 
the application of s. 21 of the NLA. Even if the trial Judge was correct on the application of s. 21, the NLC had decided in addition to s. 21 tat the appellant w}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4282941 as entitled to be registered on}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  the VKB by virtue of custom, tradition and practice as a separate matter (see paragraphs 7}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315 -}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 13 of the affidavit). Registration by the NLC based on custom, tradition and practice cannot be questioned by any court. On this}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4282941 
 issue the Constitution, s. 100}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 (4) and s. 156 (a) is clear. The trial Judge acknowledged this when he said:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15672163 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15672163 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
"The question that then arises is whether in registering the plaintiff on the VKB the Commission merely applied customary law. If it did then, and only then, is its decision final and conclusive."
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15672163 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 The fa}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4620259 ct that the NLC may have been wrong in applying s. 21 of the NLC (I}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
 do not find it necessary to decide this point) does not and cannot affect the registration of the appellant by virtue of custom, tradition and practice. The end result is that the registration of the appellant on the VKB by virt
ue of custom, tradition and practice still stands. He is a "Fijian" within the meaning of s. 156 (a) of the Constitution. Any definition of "Fijian" under any other statute must be read subject to the Constitution (See s. 168).
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4620259 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 I would allow the appeal, quash the decision of the trial Judge and make the following declarations:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4620259 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4620259 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 l.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 That the appellant is entitled to be registered on the roll for}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4620259  Fijians }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 established under s. 41 (2) of the Constitution; and
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid4620259 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4620259 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid4620259 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 2.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4620259 Tha}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 t the appellant is entitled to be registered on the electoral roll for the Suva}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4620259  City Fijian Urban Constituency.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4620259 
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4620259\charrsid4620259 William J.A.:}{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid4620259 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4620259 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16585879 This appeal involves a question of considerable importance to the people of Fiji.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4620259 
\par 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
Shortly put the question is whether the appellant born in Fiji of a mother who is an indigenous inhabitant of Fiji and a father who was born in China, is a "Fijian" within the meaning of the Constitution of the Sovereign Democratic}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4282941 of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  Republic of Fiji.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16585879 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Again shortly and perhaps too simplistically put, the answer is in s.156 of the Constitution of 1990 (to use a short form for the Constitution of the Soverei}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4282941 gn Democratic Republic of Fiji,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16585879  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 (Promulgation) Decree 1900}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16585879 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16585879 
\par S.156 is as follows:-}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16585879 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid16585879 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4095412 \'93}{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16585879\charrsid16585879 Meaning of}{
\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid16585879  "Fi}{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16585879\charrsid16585879 jian" "Rotuman" and "Indian"}{
\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid16585879 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15799446 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid15799446 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 156. For the purposes of this Constitution -
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid203845 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid15799446 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 (a) a person shall be regarded as a Fijian if and shall not }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4095412 be }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 so regarded unless his father or any of his male progenitors in the male line is or was the child of parents both of whom a
re or were indigenous inhabitants of Fiji and his name is registered or eligible to be registered in the Vola ni Kawa Bula and include persons who are registered in the Vola ni Kawa Bula by virtue}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid203845 
 of custom, }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 tradition and practice:
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid203845 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid15799446 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Provided that a person's registration o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid4095412 
r eligibility for registration o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 n the Vola ni Kawa Bula shall be confirmed or determined as the case may be by the Native Lands Commission whose confirmation or decisio}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 n shall be final and conclusive.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16585879 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid16585879 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 (b}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16585879 ) }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 a person}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16585879  shall be regarded as a Rotuman}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
 if, and shall not be so regarded unless, he is of Rotuman descent, whether through his male progenitors or female progenitors; the eligibility of a person under this subsection}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 
 shall be determined or confirm}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 , as the case may be, by the Council of Rotuma.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15799446 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 
\par }\pard \ql \li1440\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin1440\itap0\pararsid15799446 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 (c) }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
a person shall be regarded as an Indian if, and shall }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15799446 not }{\field\fldedit{\*\fldinst {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15799446  HYPERLINK http://be.so }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7621629\charrsid15799446 {\*\datafield 00d0c9ea79f9bace118c8200aa004ba90b0200000003000000e0c9ea79f9bace118c8200aa004ba90b1c00000068007400740070003a002f002f00620065002e0073006f002f000000000000}}}{\fldrslt {
\cs15\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15799446 be so}}}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  regarded unless, his father or any of his earlier male progenitors in the mal}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 e line is or was the child of}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  parents bot}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 h of whom are or were indigenous }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7940044 inhabitants }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15799446 o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7940044 f the sub-continent of India;}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid203845 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
Provided that where the identity of the father of any person cannot be ascertained, the male progenitors of that person may instead b}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid203845 e traced through that person\rquote s mother.\'94}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid203845 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Without drawing comparisons, it is, fair to say that this appeal was well argued before us. Apart from counsel for the parties, the }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14512713 Solicitor General appeared as am}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 icus curiae and assisted the Court with precise well reasoned submissions}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10831657 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10831657 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid7940044 Were it not for the widely canvassed points of argument that commen
ded themselves to counsel for the appellant and the respondent, this appeal could well have been determined by a review of S.156 alone.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14512713 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 The judgment appealed from }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7940044 what }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
was described by His Lordship Mr Justice M D Scott as an interim judgment for the respondent, given after hearings on the 3rd and 16th April 1992}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7940044 .}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  His Lordship had been persuade that the summons was one that ought to be tried s}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7940044 peedily and forthwith gave an ex}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  tempore judgmen}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14512713 t, for the respondent indicating that he would later publish his reasons. He did }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 so on 24 April 1992}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14512713 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14512713 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 His Lordship regarded the application as one}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7473327  seeking relief pursuant to S 11}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 3 of t}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7473327 he Constitution. I am of the view that it was more appropriate}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 ly one for a declaration of the appellant's rights under s.41(2) of the Constitut
ion and of his right to be registered as voter on the electoral roll for the Suva City Fijian Urban Constituency}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7473327 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7473327 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Both of those results will automatically follow if at all relevant tunes, he was (a) a Fijian within the me}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7473327 a}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7940044 ning of S. 1}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 56 of the Constituti
on, (b) his name had been duly registered in the Vola ni Kawa Bula: and (c) such registration had been duly confirmed by the Native Land Commission.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7473327 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Such findings (if made) would render him e}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7473327 ligible to be registered as a v}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 oter on the electoral roll for the Suva City Fijian Urban Constituency}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7473327 .}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7473327 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 In my view, all of these matters are consequential on a decision that}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5845672  he was a "Fijian" within the mea}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 ning of s.156}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5845672 .}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5845672 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 The argument revolves around whether there are two legs in the first paragraph of subsection (a) i.e. does it cover only the "patril}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5845672 in}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 eal test" or does it also includ}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7940044 e a separate class of person w}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 ho for convenience, has been suggested}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7940044 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  as falling }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid5845672 with}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 in the V KB test.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7882414 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 The respondent says that the appellant did not come within either leg and so could not be re}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7882414 garded as a Fijian, }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 but in }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid7882414 any }{\field\fldedit{\*\fldinst {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid7882414 
 HYPERLINK http://event.so }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7621629\charrsid7882414 {\*\datafield 
00d0c9ea79f9bace118c8200aa004ba90b0200000003000000e0c9ea79f9bace118c8200aa004ba90b2200000068007400740070003a002f002f006500760065006e0074002e0073006f002f000000005200}}}{\fldrslt {\cs15\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7882414 event, }{
\cs15\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid7882414 so}}}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  he says, there is no VKB leg. His case is that }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7882414 
(1) the words after the words "V}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 ola ni}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7882414  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Ka}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7882414 wa Bula" where they first app}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 ear in s. 156(a) are either merely pa}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7940044 
rt of the description of one com}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 ing within the "pat}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7882414 r}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 i}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7882414 li}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 neal"}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7882414  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
group of persons or (2) they are mere surplusage}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7882414  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 and should be ignored. By whatever misadventure they got into the su
bsection they should nevertheless be ignored, be notiona}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16268426 ll}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7933188 y excised by some }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
form of major surgery or perhaps ignored by some form of bypass operation.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7882414 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 One does not need to refer to authority to decide that if sense can be made out of the most abstruse wo
rds in a section, it should be attempted, provided it does not produce an absurdity.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16268426 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Likewise it is unnecessary to consider cases where "and" has been held in a particular context to be read as "or".
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid16268426 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 No doubt subsection (a) could ha
ve been more delicately worded but in my opinion the meaning is clear. The operative words were inserted to cover another group of people who live in Fiji, namely those who are registered (as was the appellant) or eligible to be registered in the V}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8326586 o}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 la ni Kawa Bula by virtue of custom, tradition and practice.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9858588 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 A series of arguments were submitted as to why these words were, or might have been inserted in 1990. Interesting as all that might have been}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14633592 ,}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  nothing can detract from the clear words of the subsection.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9858588 
\par The appellant\rquote s position is reinforced by the action of the Native }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Land Commission in confi}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8326586 rming his registration in the Vo}
{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 la ni Kawa Bula.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid9858588 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 The Com}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7106692 mission's confirmation}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
 under the proviso in the subsection, was final and conclusive.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7106692 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 I have had the advantage of reading the reasons for judgment of the Pr}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7106692 esident and of Sir Mari Kapi. I }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 agree with the reasoning of each and the conclusions at which each has arrived.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7106692 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 I am in total agreement wit}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14633592 h the orders proposed by Sir Mari}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
 and would add, if it be necessary so to do, that the respondent should pay the appellant's costs of and incidental to the appeal to be taxed.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7106692 
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid7106692 Helsham P:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid7106692 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 I agree with t}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14633592 he conclusion reached by Sir Mari}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
 Kapi in this appeal, and with the reasons he gives for coaching it.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 In my opin
ion it is not necessary to refer to so called learned decisions of numerous Judges on the subject of the interpretation of Acts of Parliament to approach this problem on the basis that meaning is to be given to what has been enacted through the words used
,
 unless that is impossible. It is only in the most exceptional cases that an Act will contain words that are redundant, do no work, or are meaningless, so that they can be ignored. I doubt if it would ever be the case that in a Constitution there will be 
words that would fall into this category. That is merely common sense.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 As Sir Mari points out, there are four categories of persons who are entitled to vote, Fijians, Indians, Rotumans and General Voters. So far as those qualified to vote as Fijians, there
 are three categories of persons whose entitleme}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038 nt is beyond dispute. They are: -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8336038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038 (i) }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 a person}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 who}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038  h}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 as}
{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 or}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038  had a father both }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 of whose parents (i.e. such persons' grandparents) are or were indigenous inhabitants of Fiji, plus such person's registration or eligibil}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038 ity for registration in the Vola}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  ni Kawa Bula;
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8336038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 (ii)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
a person who has or had a male forebear on the spear side (as against the distaff side) both of whose parents are or were indigenous inhabitants plus such person's registration or eligibility for registration in the Vola ni Kawa Bula;
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid8336038 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 (iii)}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 a person, the identity of whos}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038 e father cannot be ascertained}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14633592 ,}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 who has or had a male forebear on the distaff side both of whose parents are or were indigenous inhabitants.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid14633592 It must be infer}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11676232\charrsid14633592 red that a person in the third category }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid14633592 also}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid11676232\charrsid14633592  requires}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid14633592 
 a qualification of registration or eligibil}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid745985\charrsid14633592 ity for registration in the Vola}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid14633592\charrsid14633592  ni Kawa Bu}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid14633592 la.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid8336038\charrsid14633592 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid286098 Now, it can imme}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 diately be noted that these three categories all need registrat
ion, or eligibility for registration. That in turn means that unless the concluding words of s. 156(a) of the Constitution refer to something or someone else, they may as well not exist. If all the three classes need registration or eligibility as part of
 their definition, why add the words "and include persons who }{\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid14633592 are registered}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  or eligible t}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid286098 o be registered in the Vola ni }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Kawa Bula by virtue of custom, tradition and practi}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid286098 ce"? Registration is, after all}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  governed by custom, tradition and practice anyway. So
, if they add nothing to what is already required to categorise a person as a Fijian for th}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid2713699 e purposes of the Constitution, }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
you simply write them out from the Constitution }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid15680315 -}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  a bold step indeed!
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid286098 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 It is not difficult, in my opinion to read the portion of s. 156(a) here under review as reading:
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6430346 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13770038 \'93}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
(a) a person .... include persons who are registered etc}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13770038 \'85\'94}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  .
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 or even
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid6430346 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 "(a) a person ... shall include persons who are r}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13770038 eg}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 istered etc ...}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13770038 \'94}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid15680315 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 The language is perhaps a bit clumsy, but read in such a way the words do not have to be ignored, as stated above.
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346 
\par I might add}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  that the proviso, in its application to s. 15}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346 6(a), merely substitutes the necessary }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 forebears in the situation to which it refers. That automatically}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 picks up the requirement of registration without the aid o
f the second part of that subsection. This merely emphasises the fact that that part was intended to refer to something quite distinct from ancestry and to persons who do not need any qualification through ancestry.
\par 
\par Read in this way}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346 , the whole of s. l56 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 (a) is given a sensible and operative mean}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13770038 ing}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315  instead of the last portion sim}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346 ply being written out of the }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 Constitution }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid13770038 by }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346 judicial decision.}{
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\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346\charrsid15680315 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid15680315 I agree with the conclusion and ord}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346 ers suggested by Sir Mari Kapi.}{
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\par 
\par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346 (}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346\charrsid6430346 Appeal allowed: declarations}{\i\fs24\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid486474\charrsid6430346  made}{
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\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346\charrsid6430346 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid6430346 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid6430346\charrsid6430346 THE COURT OF APPEAL
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