Lautoka’S Needs

Roads and Shipping Facilities

From Our Own Correspondent SUVA, Sept. 1.

HPHE need for drastic improvements 5n x the township of Namoli, Lautoka, the principal sugar port of Fiji, has for long been pressed by the Lautoka Chamber of Commerce, and opportunity was taken re cently to approach the Acting Governor (Hon. Juxon Barton) on the subject when he visited the district.

The Chamber of Commerce urged the need of developmental work, especially with regard to roads and footpaths, bet ter shipping facilities, and an improved telephone service. His Excellency told the Chamber that all developmental work had been postponed until the Secretary of State for the Colonies had reviewed the financial position of Fiji.

The Chamber has agreed to petition the Secretary of State asking him to give urgent consideration to the needs of Lau toka.

There is no doubt that drastic improve ment is needed. In wet weather the so called roads in the business area of Namoli are a sea of mud, and footpaths do not exist. Drainage is another urgent matter. In fact, the whole township site could do with a thorough cleaning up. One section of Namoli is known as Tin Can Alley, and the name is no misnomer as the area is a disgrace to any modem com munity.

Better policing of the town is also asked for by the Chamber, as of late there has been a considerable amount of crime which has gone undetected. It is not altogether fair to blame the police, who are working shorthanded.