18 Mar 2004

Pacific meeting warned about capitalism

12:53 pm on 18 March 2004

High level indigenous Pacific Island leaders meeting in Fiji have been warned to be wary of people with indigenous faces who preach capitalism.

Fiji TV says the warning has been given by the head of the school of social and economic development at the USP, Dr Ropate Qalo.

Dr Qalo says capitalism is not Pacific culture.

He says capitalism is a preference for more rather than less, and Pacific people must not identify themselves with this.

Dr Qalo says Pacific culture means equity and fairness which are opposite of capitalism as promoted by globalisation and international trade.