THE ISLANDS TOUR

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 149, 19 March 1920, Page 7

THE ISLANDS TOUR

PARLIAMENTARY PARTY AT FIJI. By Telegraph— Association. ] Suva, March 17. ! Sir James Allen and the members of j Parliament this'morning called on the Governor, Sir Cecil Rodwell: Later a civic reception, 'was' given bv the Mayor,' Mr. Scott, who thanked New Zealand for its prompt assistance in the-influenza epidemic and the recent dispatch of the Tutanekai. Sir James. Allen, in reply, said that New Zealand was glad it had been able to do n neighbourly service. A luncheon was given by the union j Steam Ship Company at the company's ,i palatial hotel. \ ]

The strike is apparently over and the I Hindus are working the Tutanekai, which j is likely to.leave soon for New' Zealand. I The soldiers are anxious to embark. They I have been employed in useful police i work. A detachment went with Cap- 'j tain Wilkes as far as sixty miles up- •. I river, .where the natives and Hindus j were amazed by a demonstration of Lewis. ! gun firing. The New Zealanders were j never in actual conflict with the strik- I ers. . ■■] The Trade Commission is busily pur- . suing its inquiries, and is now meeting j in Suva. The commissioners and many | of the Parliamentary party are staying ! over at Suva till the Mokoia's return i from Lautoka. All are i well. A wireless message from the Mokoin states:—The Parliamentary party nrriv- . ed at Yavnii on Saturday, and was officially welcomed by the Governor, who ! explained that the preparations for tho i entertainment of visitors had been can- ', celled owing to their non-arrival on tho : expected date. The visitors were enthusiastic over the magnificent harbour scenery, which is the most beautiful they have yet 6een. A party entered Mariners' Ove in boats, and were kinematographed. On Sunday, at Nukualofa, they, attended a special musical service at the Free Church and heard wonderful singing by competing 'choirs. On Monday, the Queen and her consort received i the party at tho palace. On her birthday (Saturday). Sir James Allen, on behalf ! of thp pnrtv, asked her acceptance of a j travelling clock as a birthday gift. The '} Queen chan'ningly replied. She is fully ■ six feet tall, nnd looked the picture of ! n queen, in a European dress .of white j silk ' . . '.'' ■• ■' ... | Rain prevented picnicking, so a feast | j ,and native dnnces at Parliament Houso i were substituted. Both native and Euro- | pean residents were most hospitable. '