Fijion Taxpayers Moan

Costly "Viti"

From Our Own Correspondent

Suva, Dec. 24.

IN the good, pre-war years, when money was plentiful, the Govern ment of Fiji ordered the construc tion in Hong Kong of a patrol-ship or yacht, for the use of the Governor of Fiji, especially in his work as High Com missioner of the Western Pacific.

So the handsome “Viti” was built, and delivered in 1940 (after war had com menced, and finances had tightened); and already the new Governor of Fiji has found her very useful. War has dis located shipping schedules, and His Excellency could not get about the Cen tral Pacific, if he did not have the “Viti”.

But Fiji taxpayers are moaning dis mally. They regard the “Viti” as too expensive, and they are urging the Gov ernor to sell her (she cost £70,000, and could be sold now for perhaps £120,000), and purchase a couple of sea-planes for his inter-island and inter-Territories work.

Mr. Alport Barker, in the Legislative Council, calculated that the “Viti” costs £67 per day in harbour, and, at sea, in addition £l4 for every 100 miles run.

Mr. Barker admitted that Council had approved the building of the ship: but no one had had any idea that costs would be so high.

Mrs. C. J. J. T. Barton, wife of the Colonial Secretary of Fiji, died in Eng land recently. Mr. Barton is en route to England, and during his absence Mr.

C. W. T; Johnson, Assistant Colonial Secretary, will carry out his duties.