Labour and Gold in Fiji

This 1994 book is a study of gold mining and the development of an indigenous labour force in Fiji.

Atu Emberson-Bain (Author)

9780521363723, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 24 June 1994

296 pages, 8 b/w illus. 37 tables
23.7 x 15.9 x 2.2 cm, 0.676 kg

"The mining industry in Fiji has largely been neglected. Emberson-Bain's book goes a long way to rectifying this situation....The author does a good job of discussing issues of sociological and political concern, such as ethnic relations, the role of indigenous cultural traditions, and the relationship between local government authorities and the mining companies. Also worth noting is the useful coverage of mineworkers' health and safety. By linking this study of the mining industry in colonial Fiji with the literature on the mining industry in Africa--particularly in relation to the use of indigenous labor and ethnic relations--the author succeeds in presenting a study that should appeal to a wide audience." Journal of Interdisciplinary History

This 1994 book is a study of an important aspect of Pacific history and political economy, the mining of gold and the development of an indigenous labour force in Fiji from 1930 to 1970. The book focuses on the town of Vatukoula, which is in the north-west of Fiji's largest island Viti Levu and is the country's only company mining town. Labour and Gold in Fiji examines the mechanics of the labour market but also focuses on the ordinary working lives, experiences and struggles of the mining community. By examining the impact of gold mining in Fiji, the author extracts a number of important themes significant to Fijian social and economic history and the Third World in general. She traces the making and undoing of working class indigenous mine labour in Fiji, discussing various aspects of economic coercion as well as the social consequences of Fijian incorporation into the colonial labour market.

Glossary
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Making and managing a monopoly 1930–50
2. Mobilising mine labour 1934–50: who, why and how?
3. Employment and earnings
4. Life and work on the frontier 1934–50
5. Labour resistance and conflict 1935–50
6. Difficult years: coping and copping it 1950–70
Epilogue
Appendices
References.

Subject Areas: Australasian & Pacific history [HBJM]