The company's agents quickly assumed the role of village authorities in opposition to the Native Administration and Fijian chiefs.

Lalabalavu said the expectations by the Fijian chiefs over their traditional customary qoliqoli rights has been there for a period of about 125 years.

Ratu Inoke Takiveikata (born 1947) is a Fijian high chief and politician.

Matawalu is a Fijian chief.

He also asserted that if Fijian chiefs were giving wrong advice to their people, the military had a duty to correct them.

Ratu Jone Navakamocea is a Fijian chief and politician.

Senior Fijian chiefs strongly criticized Rabuka for his stance.

"To say that power should have been returned to the Fijian chiefs is to ignore what occurred between 1874 and 1970," Madraiwiwi said.

Teimumu Vuikaba Kepa (born 1945) is a Fijian chief and politician.

In the past, they were worn by Fijian chiefs as a symbol of rank or privilege.