The British Empire conducted its affairs in questionable ways - notably in the Department of Inland Revenue. The myth of British fair play during the colonial period is graphically exposed. A rising star who was locally recruited by the Commissioner worked with officers who were racially motivated. They disrupted him whenever and wherever possible as they could not contain their disapproval of a person of colour in their midst who had the potential to become the Commissioner of Inland Revenue. Complaints to the governor made no difference. The key to socio-economic transformation was education, which was denied by the administrators. European children were educated at higher levels, whereas facilities for others were basic and often negligible. Nevertheless, they blamed others as the last governor of Fiji unequivocally pointed the finger at the Chiefs for their lack of foresight. The effect of these policies resulted in the military coups of 1987.