FIJI AND THE WESTERN PACIFIC

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 212, 2 June 1921, Page 7

FIJI AND THE WESTERN PACIFIC

GOVERNOR INTERVIEWED IN AUCKLAND

APPOINTMENT NO SINECURi

Intel esting information in connection

lsland matters was given by Sir Cecil Bodwell, Governor of Fiji, in the jcourse of an interview in Auckland. His 'Excellency also holds the office of High. Commissioner’ of the Western Pacific, and in his hands it has been no sinecure. .During his first term of office as High Commissioner, extending over two and <i half years, ho has visited practically all th© Western Pacific groups under his control, with the. exception of the far-distant Ocean Island and the Gilfegrt and Ellice groups, visits being mad© in a Dieselengined vessel with a travelling radius J? EAArt 21 z-k M , i , „

or dWv miles. One of the longest of these trips covered 3500 miles, occupied 27 days, and included visits to no fewer than 18 islands. At every point, the visitors were greeted with great enthusiasm, the welcoming ceremonies among the Polynesian people, who love demonstrations <ff the, kind, being on. a particularly elaborate scale. It,is the Governor's desire to visit every island in the Wee-tern Pacific group before he completes Iris

, term ot otnee. i Discussing Fijian matters, His Expediency remarked that the present stress of world-wide financial depression was , making itself felt in the Islands just as it was everywhere else. The recent strikes among the Indian plantation workers. had been a more or less disturbing element in tho life of the community, although there had been no disorder. Ths labourers in some of the principal sugar districts were still on strike, but had returned to work in ethers. Thero was at present no reason to fear that tho supply of sugar to New Zealand would bo seriously affected. One-matter of importance mentioned by tho Governor was an arrangement re-

cently completed between the Fiji Government and an Australian shipping company, under which a regular quarterly steamer service will be maintained, via Panama, calling at Suva and Levuka, It is expected tho new service will be inaugurated toward the end of this year. This will mean an important development in the copra trade, and. give the ; Islands tho advantage of direct shipping 'facilities with Great Britain. It is hoped that arrangements may also to made foxtails at Fiji by one of tho shipping companies operating between New Zealand and tho United Kingdom, via Panama. His Excellency is spending a few days in Auckland with Lady Rodwell prior to thoii' departure for England by tho lonic, due to leave Wellington on Juno

.4. The voyage will give him the opportunity of visiting yet another island under his jurisdiction, arrangements having been made for the vessel to make a call at Pitcairn Island. Sir Cecil and Lady Rodwell will land at the Island, and the visit will no doubt bi a great event in the quiet lives of the people, being the first official ca]l ever made there by a High Commissioner. Their Excellencies have been interesting themselves on behalf of the islanders, whose pleasure in visits and gifts from, passing vessels is well known, and fn response to the public appeal made by Lady Rodwell, two cases of gifts of sweets and clothing have been donated, and despatched to Wellington for shipment.

Sir Cecil and Lady Rodwell expect to remain in England for the full torn of His Excellency's leave, returning to Fiji early next year.