British rule ends — a nation is born
1970-1979
Saturday October 11, 1970
Britain’s Union Jack is lowered for the last time, making way for Fiji’s independence with Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara of the Alliance Party as Prime Minister.
Fiji’s first Independence Day celebration was a national and historic event that lasted for three days.
Representing the Queen on the occasion, Prince Charles gave Fiji’s instrument of independence and Constitutional documents after he was accorded a ceremony of welcome he described as “memorable and magnificent”.
Thousands of people lined 14 miles of road from Nausori Airport to Suva, where the prince was given a 21 gun salute, at Albert Park.
Suva came to a standstill.
In his pre-independence day message delivered nationwide by radio Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara said Fiji’s independence meant responsibility, dedication, sacrifice and honest hard work.
Fiji becomes a member of the Commonwealth.
1971 — Fiji is admitted to the Commonwealth at the Heads of Government meeting in Singapore.
1972 — The first general elections held under the 1970 Constitution, is won by the Alliance party with 33 seats out of 52.
April 2 1973
Fiji Sugar Corporation Ltd is formed, taking over CSR Company operations in 1973. The FSC was incorporated in Fiji by an Act of Parliament in 1972.
The CSR Company left Fiji after being in the country since 1880 following the collapse of the cotton price in early 1860s.
June 19, 1973
The Fiji Times reports a new threat to Fiji’s copra industry by coconut beetles.
March 20, 1977
Fiji elections held between March 19 and April 2, 1977. A split in the ethnic Fijian vote, led to the narrow defeat of the Alliance Party (Fiji) of the Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
Election is won by the National Federation Party with 26 seats, Alliance 24, Fijian Nationalist Party 1, and Independent 1.
The NFP hesitates to take power the Governor-General appoints Sir Ratu Kamisese Mara of the Alliance Party to form a government in September.
1978 — Fiji provides a light infantry battalion of about 500 men (which later rose to 725) to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
February 19, 1979
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucestor visit Fiji and are met at the Nausori airport by Governor General Ratu Sir George Cakobau and Lady Cakobau.