Royal visits our shores
Queen Elizabeth unveils Ratu Sukuna’s statue, meets ex-serviceman
THE Fiji Times published on February 17 1977 the unveiling of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna’s statue by Queen Elizabeth in Suva.
Ratu Sir Lala was one of Fiji’s greatest statesmen.
The day also made an exserviceman Eseroma Matanawa of Kiuva, Bau, Tailevu happy because he met the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Mr Matanawa, who was 70 years old at that time, was with his crutches in a line of exservicemen leading from Albert Park to Government Buildings along the path the Queen took to unveil the statue of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna.
“They both stopped and asked me what my medals were.
“I was very proud and told them how I had won them serving in the merchant navy in the Atlantic, Middle East and Pacific,” Mr Matanawa said.
Despite drizzling rain which threatened to become a heavy downpour, the Queen walked from Albert Park to the unveiling dais through the ranks of ex-servicemen, stopping to that and shake hands every few paces.
It was the most informal moment of the visit so far, and the crowd was delighted.
Lali drumbeats heralded the Queen at the tapa-covered dais, where she was met by the Bishop of Polynesia, the Right Reverend Jabez Bryce, in gold regalia and carrying a golden crozier.
In a speech before the unveiling, the Deputy Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, told the Queen it was fitting for her to perform the ceremony because of Ratu Sir Lala’s strong ties with the United Kingdom.
He was educated at Oxford and influenced the Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, to go there, and there was none better to assess the qualities and quaintness of the English, with admiration or gentle, friendly irony, Ratu Sir Penaia said. Although he was born in Bau and buried in Lau, it was fitting that Suva should have a memorial to him because it was the capital and could bring Ratu Sir Lala’s name and achievements before the greatest number of people.
Suva was the base for his important work as chairman of the Native Lands Commission, Secretary for Fijian Affairs, chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs and Speaker of the Legislative Council.
A few yards away in the Council Chamber was where Her Majesty knighted him in 1953, Ratu Penaia said.
He said the most distinguishing feature of Ratu Sir Lala’s character was his readiness to move forward while preserving the best from the past, which showed in his work in establishing the Fijian Development Fund Board and the Native Land Trust Board (now known as iTaukei Land Trust Board).
After Ratu Sir Penaia’s address, the Queen came forward beneath a multi-coloured umbrella and grasped the tasselled rope looped over a tripod of wooden war clubs.
With a strong tug, the canvas came down and the bronze statue was revealed, while the 1000-voice choir sang one of Ratu Sir Lala’s favourite hymn.
They both stopped and asked me what my medals were. I was very proud and told them how I had won them serving in the merchant navy in the Atlantic, Middle East and Pacific – Eseroma Matanawa