Fijian Newspaper On Naval Reserve

Press, Volume C, Issue 29501, 1 May 1961, Page 14

Fijian Newspaper On Naval Reserve

(N,ZJ*.A -Reuter—Copyright)

SUVA, April 30. The "Fiji Times” today suggests the Governor of Fiji (Sir Kenneth Maddocks) gave the visiting New Zealand Defence Minister (Mr Eyre) a strong “hands-off" warning against discussing the possible revival of the Fiji Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. The reserve was disbanded in 1959 on the joint recommendation of the Fiji Government and New Zealand Joint Chiefs of Staff. Criticism of the decision at the time increased when disturbances threatened in the sugar districts last year. Critics contended the naval security unit would be highly desirable in an archipelago where trunk roads could be cut and no alternative routes exist.

Before Mr Eyre’s arrival in Fiji, former officers of the F.R.N.V.R. asked for informal talks with him at Suva. This had been arranged, but after the Governor spoke to Mr Eyre, the arrangements were cancelled.

At a press conference in Suva yesterday the question directed at Mr Eyre was answered by a typewritten statement handed to reporters by the Fiji Government public relations officer <Mr J Hackett).

The statement said: “This is a matter on which a decision was made after joint consultations between New Zealand and Fiji two years ago. and nothing has happened in the meantime to necessitate anv reconsideration of that decision.”

The “Fiji Times’’ describes the reason given as “almost incredible after a year in which the police force has been multiplied and armed forces mobilised to preserve civil peace and to save Fiji from economic disaster." The paper says: “It is not necessary to read too closely between the lines to realise Mr Eyre was told in effect to mind his own business.

“The Government of Fiji was obviously sticking obstinately to its determination to have no naval unit in the group of more than 300 islands which it administers, and that was that.

“There can be no criticism of Mr Eyre in this. “He had clearly been put in a most difficult position. He was in a territory in which he holds no jurisdiction, although New Zealand is primarily responsible for the defence of Fiji,’’ the newspaper says.