Jim Sherlock is Still “Safe in Fiji” and the Comment that Wasn't Published

Jim Sherlock: “I’m safe in Fiji: Kiwi resort owner”

Readers may remember the NZ media reports last May about Jim Sherlock and his wife Heather, former Hamiltonians who owned the Fiji Lagoon Resort in Fiji. The media  had them abused by former military security men, locked out of their premises, in fear for their lives, and relatives in New Zealand really worried.  Michael Field had them leaving Fiji with two bags. Jim finally swore they were both safe and the media had got it wrong. But the media and Field never retracted the story so New Zealanders were left believing it.  This is Jim’s comment a year on ….

on the NZ Herald editorial about regime collapse, published in the NZ Herald comment section. Note especially his “interesting” remarks about Ratu Tevita and Pita Driti that I have highlighted. 

Jim Sherlock (Fiji): 03:38PM Sunday, 22 May 2011

"As a Kiwi living in Fiji for the past twelve years and being involved in Fijian tourist since 1988 I support 90% of what Commodore Bainimarama's government has achieved since they ousted the so called "democratically elected government" in December 2006. The retaliation tactics of the Australian and New Zealand governments have worked and hurt the Fijian people. However their tactics have not hurt the Fijian government who have been welcomed into the non-aligned world states and China.

"Interesting to note that the two people recently charged in Fiji with sedition are the same two ring leaders who physically attacked seven people who spoke out against the actions taken by the army overthrowing the previous administration, and it was them that inflicted physical and mental mistreatment of those persons.

"If Australia and New Zealand governments really want to assist the Fijian people, start by holding meetings with the current Fijian administration to identify the real problems Fiji has. Then jointly work towards solving them, while introducing a one person one equal voting for our 2014 general election. However, I do not think you have the guts to do that."

My comment on the NZ Herald comment page about the editorial Dictatorship's Hold on Fiji is Crumbling.

 

"And the NZ Herald is going into receivership.  Well, one unsubstantiated wild guess is as good as another. You cite no source other than regurgitating what Ratu Tevita has said, and you appear not to have read your deputy political editor's assessment of the situation. Even your facts are wrong: You say he was arrested and the censored Fiji media did not report the arrest. Of course they didn't. He wasn't arrested. He appeared in court on a charge of sedition and was granted bail,  despite the urgings of the State prosecutor that bail be not granted.   This is how he managed to flee to Tonga. I would have expected a more rigorous editorial from New Zealand's major newspaper."

 

My comment has still not been published by the NZ Herald, over a day since it was “accepted.”