New Tongan Yacht
pp. 46-48 · Read in the full issue
AFTER the last war it was decided to start dairying, as an aid to returned soldiers—no doubt a necessary, and a well-thought-of move. But, here again the arbitrary action of the then Governor was apparent as on his own initiative he entered into a contract to purchase dairy cattle from a pastoralist on an ad jacent island. These cattle were to be sold to the returned soldiers, who had taken up dairying. However, when the animals arrived, they were found to be unsuitable for dairying purposes, and the soldiers refused to buy them. All sorts of tactics were resorted to in order to com pel the soldiers to take the cows, but to their credit they steadfastly refused.
Subsequently, it transpired that a sum of something like £12,000 had already been paid for the useless herd, and this money had actually been paid before the cattle had been delivered or inspected.
In this connection a dairy exoert was brought from New Zealand, but on his arrival he was carefully instructed in his duties, and told what he was to do.
At the moment dairying has made some strides. Two factories are operating.
One is a co-operative concern, the other proprietary.
IN spite of all this bad administration, the Colony has not only survived but has made much progress. The finances of the Colony are buoyant, and although the present war has affected our shipping somewhat badly, we are still doing a fair amount of trade. Never theless, the present methods of govern ing leave room for improvement.
Representations have been made to the Home authorities, asking that the old election methods of both the Legislative and Municipal Councils, also the cur rency, be restored.
We are now told that these matters are most important, and that they will require serious consideration. But when
UPPER: This Tongan-built yacht, “Maumotu”, owned by High Chief Tuihaateiho, is making her first run under sail. The Queen of Tonga is among the guests aboard.
LOWER: Sister Moulsdale, matron of the Government “Vaiola" hospital, at Nukualofa, is seen here with Tongan nurses.
they were done away with, it required only the stroke of a pen.
Another matter that should be con sidered is our postal service. We now have a road completely encircling the island of Levu, and numbers of vehicles daily make the round trip. Yet it takes days to get a letter from the far end of the island. As a matter of fact, there should be no difficulty in arranging for at least a daily delivery of mails.
The police department also would be the better of some attention. It is very evident that more European constables are required.
ANOTHER expensive proceeding is the apnointment, at large salaries, of officers who enjoy the title of Dis trict Commissioner. Evidently, it would be considered infra dig to follow the ex amnle set by our neighbouring Colonies and appoint a Sergeant of Police (Euro
pean), to such positions. It has been found that these officers, with the as sistance of two or three honorary justices of the peace, carry out the duties re quired of them efficiently, and one can see no reason why such appointments would not be desirable in Fiji, This would mean a large saving. About one fourth of the money now being spent in salaries and concessions would be saved, and the necessary duties carried out equally as well.
The writer would not be surprised if he should be placed in the same category as the Irishman who, on landing in America, asked “Sure, now, my bhoy, have you a Governmint in this country?”
The reply being in the affirmative, the Irishman said, “Faith, thin, I’m agin it.”
Nevertheless, the writer could quote innumerable other incidents of bad ad ministration.
It strikes one as puzzling why the
Home authorities do not select an Ad ministrator for these tropical South Pacific Crown Colonies from Australia One of those hard-headed, far-seeing successful pioneers should fill the job ad mirably.