Wartime Governor
p. 10 · Read in the full issue
The Work of Sir Harry Luke
rE following tribute to the work of Sir Harry Luke, as Governor of Suva is taken from an article in “Fiji Times” of June 13: — “in September next His Excellency would have completed four years of ser vice in Fiji. They have been full and verv active years. There are few of the Group and the islands of the High Commission which he has not visited .. In his administration the welfare of the native and Indian races has been his constant concern, and in no way has this been better expressed than in the keen personal interest he has shown in the medical training of the native and Indian medical practi tioners, and in the medical services in Fiji recently. During his period of wartime governorship he has kept con tinually in touch with all sections of the community and the general response of the people is a tribute to his leader ship. In matters pertaining to civil defence His Excellency has taken a very nractical interest. The Governor’s Civil Defence Committee has been under his personal control, and his has been the driving force behind the construction of shelters and the organisation of all civil defence services. In these matters he demanded direct action and got it.”
Visit To New Caledonia
Prom Our Own Correspondent
Noumea, June 29.
A RECENT visitor has been the retir ing British High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, Sir Harry Luke, on his way through and also re turning from a farewell visit to Port Vila, where he said good-bye to Mr.
Blandy, tbe British Resident Commis sioner. and to other officials. In Nou mea, he discussed matters of common interest with the French High Commis sioner (Rear-Admiral d’Areenlieu) and Maior-General Alexander M. Patch, Jr.
Noumeans, who took a great liking to this French-sneaking Englishman, recall his former visit, the cheers they greeted him with at the wharf in Governor Peli cier’s unhappy time (September. 1940), when thev shouted “Vive la Nouvelle Caledonie”, “Vive I’Angleterre”, and his friendly collaboration with Governor Sautot (then French High Commis sioner) whose departure is so much regretted. Perhaps they will be able to meet in London to discuss old times.