Instruments of Independence (Fiji)
Encyclopedia
The Instruments of Independence is a legal document that established Fiji
's independence from the United Kingdom
in 1970, when it was handed over by Prince Charles
on behalf of the British Monarch
on 10 October.
The document is currently missing. The Prime Minister
's Office is unsure whether they hold the document, and Fiji Museum
Director Sagale Buadromo told the Fiji Live
news service on 26 January 2006 that it was not and had never been in their possession.
Government Archivist Setareki Tale said it was possible that the then-Governor-General
, Sir
Robert Sidney Foster
, had returned the document to the United Kingdom
- but that was only conjecture. The British High Commission might be asked to help in the search for the document, government sources said.
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
's independence from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1970, when it was handed over by Prince Charles
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
on behalf of the British Monarch
Monarchy of the United Kingdom
The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties...
on 10 October.
The document is currently missing. The Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Fiji
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji is the head of government of Fiji. The Prime Minister was appointed by the President under the terms of the now-suspended 1997 constitution....
's Office is unsure whether they hold the document, and Fiji Museum
Fiji Museum
The Fiji Museum is a museum in Suva, Fiji located in the capital city's botanical gardens, Thurston Gardens.The museum houses an extensive archaeological collection dating back 3,700 years and relics of Fiji's indigenous cultural history...
Director Sagale Buadromo told the Fiji Live
Fiji Live
Fijilive is an online newspaper and business and cultural directory in Fiji. The site is owned by the Future Group of Companies owned by Fiji entrepreneur Yashwant Gaunder....
news service on 26 January 2006 that it was not and had never been in their possession.
Government Archivist Setareki Tale said it was possible that the then-Governor-General
Governor-General of Fiji
Fiji became a British Crown Colony in 1874, and an independent dominion in the Commonwealth in 1970. Queen Elizabeth II remained the Head of State, holding the title of Queen of Fiji until 1987, when she formally abdicated following two military coups...
, Sir
Sir
Sir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Robert Sidney Foster
Robert Sidney Foster
Sir Robert Sidney Foster, GCMG, KCVO was a British colonial administrator, best remembered as the last colonial Governor of Fiji and the first Governor-General of the Dominion of Fiji.-Colonial service:...
, had returned the document to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
- but that was only conjecture. The British High Commission might be asked to help in the search for the document, government sources said.