Governor Of Fiji And

Sir M. Hedstrom.

Letter to the Editor.

THE editorial note to the article published in the January issue of the in reference to the incident which was the cause of the resignation of Sir Maynard Hedstrom from the Legislative and Executive Councils of Fiji, will be read with not a little sur prise and some indignation by quite a number of our European residents, and others not in accord with the asser tion that it would have been better had His Excellency’s choice of words been less “unfortunate” and that the matter could have been amicably settled by an “apology” from the Governor.

In the opinion of many, the Governor’s remarks were quite justified and appli cable, and it is contended the tone in which they were made was in no way contemptuous.

It would seem that Sir Maynard was exceptionally thin-skinned to place the interpretation he has done upon them.

The Governor’s written explanation to Sir Maynard was both courteous and amicable and would have been accepted in the spirit it was intended, by most men.

After all the word “archaic”, which was taken exception to, simply means old-fashioned, and was correctly used by His Excellency.

Again, so far as may be learned, the other gentlemen who formed the “Archaic Trinity” referred to, and who are equally concerned, have not publicly

taken any exception to the Governor’s utterances.

It may be said that our present Gov ernor has already gained the confidence and esteem of the general public, his actions since taking over the reins of the government so far have been gen erally approved, and we are hoping he may consider it desirable to reverse some of the silly legislation enacted by a previous administrator.

I am, etc.,

Richard B. Howard.

Navua, Fiji, 19/2/1938.

Mr. C. Younger, of Cape Marsh, Solo mon Islands, returned home by the March “Malaita”, after furlough in Aus tralia.