Radio For Fijians

Broadcasts of News and Concerts

MR. R. H. LESTER, of the Native Sec retariat of the Fijian Government at Suva, will return to Fiji in Feb ruary after studying at the University of Sydney for his diploma in anthropo logy. Mr. Lester is well-known for the excellent radio programmes in the Fijian language which he inaugurated some time ago from Station 2JV at Suva.

These programmes have created great interest among the Fijians. Though few of them possess radio sets—though the number is increasing—they gather in numbers at the homes of those who have them to “listen-in”. Not only are con cert parties arranged for these pro grammes, but the news of the day is given in Fijian. It is estimated that no fewer than 10,000 natives listen-in to these sessions. Generally, they gather around the village stores.

Mr. Lester was the speaker and guest of honour at the November meet ing of the Pacific Islands Club, at the Hotel Carlton, in Sydney. He also has addressed the Anthropological Society of

N.S.W.

This young civil servant has made a particular study of questions concerning land tenure in Fiji, also the history and traditions of the native people. He first went to the Islands in 1925. The fol lowing year he proceeded to the New Hebrides, and settled at Ambryn for some time. It was while in the western part of the Pacific that he came in con tact with the late Dr. Deakin, who in terested him in anthropology.

On returning to Fiji in 1928 he serv ed in the Customs Department. In 1933 he was attached to the Native Secretar iat, and he has been with that division of the service ever since. Almost all of this year has been spent at the Univer sity of Sydney, where he has worked in conjunction with Professor A. P. Elkin and Dr. H. lan Hogbin.