“Viti” Cost

Snarling Taxpayers and a Busy Governor

THERE has been some political snarl in? in Fiji about the cost of the Fijian Government ship “Viti” and the manner in which she is used by the Governor and High Commissioner for the Western Pacific (Sir Harry Luke) It may be in order to give a few facts—or as many facts as may be given in war time.

The Government, in November, 1937, approved of £50,000 being spent on a patrol-ship, to replace the old “Pioneer”

Later, in order to make the “Viti” suit able for certain war-time purposes, the allocation was increased to £60.000 and then to £7O 000. It can be said that late developments have completely justified this expenditure. It will be disclosed, after the war, that the “Viti” has been used, in recent weeks, in a way that might almost have been foreseen when the extra expense was undertaken.

The Fiji taxpayers mostly are patriots, and if they could be told certain things there would be no howl from them.

Unfortunately, they cannot be told; therefore, quite naturally, they howl.

Another wail has had relation to the cost of maintaining the “Viti”—said to be nearly £lOO per day while in port, and something fantastic while at sea. The official figure is £42/5/- per day in port, and an additional £l4 per 100 miles while at sea—this covering every imaginable and accountancy contingency, except war-risk insurance.

There also are critics who declare that “Sir Harry Luke spends far too much time tripping around the Pacific.”

The suggestion, apparently, is that Sir Harry is away at sea making wassail, and twining garlands in his hair.

All this, again, indicates a lack of imagination or intelligence on the part of Fiji taxpayers. Nothing can be said about the tasks that have been thrown upon the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific during the last twelve months; but it can be said that he has had to undertake some delicate and alto gether extraordinary jobs, at the request of London.

Taxpayers should read, in the July, August and September issues of the “PIM”. the articles which indicate very peculiar conditions in the French colo nies of the South Pacific; and they might listen in on the radio to the news of what is called the “crisis in the Far East”; and then they should let their imagination work a little.

The most important half of this war is not being fought on battlefields or with war-like weapons. It is largely a war of move and counter-move, with the pieces hidden. Within this hidden aspect of the war probably lies the deciding factor. And the hidden half of the war is not reported in the news papers.

Pilot-Officer George Evans, now under going special RAAF training in Victoria, after having just received his commission, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Evans, former well-known residents of Buka, New Guinea. Several years ago, young Evans won the first open scholarship from NG and was educated at Brisbane Grammar School. He was on the staff of the Union Bank, Melbourne, prior to enlisting. His progress through the various Air Force training schools was rapid and

distinguished.