Americans In Fiji

Cordial Relations With "Great Force of All Arms"

THE Governor of Fiji (Major-General Sir Philip Mitchell) made the fol lowing statement when formally opening the Legislative Council of Fiji in November: — “It is now permissible to refer to the presence in our midst of a great force of all arms of our Allies of the United States, and to extend to them officially, on behalf of the Government and the people of Fiji, that public welcome which we have done our best to extend person ally. since their arrival here.

“Throughout the Colony, it is realised by all —and is in fact the general prac tice—that our first duty is to subordinate every consideration of private interest or convenience to the paramount obligation upon all of us to render to these forces every possible help and to organise our own small resources in such a way that they may be of the greatest value to the common effort.

“We have had an understanding friend in the first American Commanding Gen eral of the Island, during whose period of command there were established between • the civil authorities and force headquarters close, cordial and intimate relations, which are continuing with his successor in command, and are being developed in fresh directions from day to day. as circumstances require . . .

“I cannot, for obvious reasons, speak of the military side of the work of the Fiji War Council, beyond saying that either I or the Colonial Secretary are in daily touch with the Commanding Gen eral, and that, through the Military Sec retary or otherwise. I maintain a con tinuous and close liaison with force head ouarters. The members of the War Council are kept fully informed of the war situation here and elsewhere, and are thus enabled to bring to their task all available reliable information.

“I may add just this, that the Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Naval Vol unteer Force are playing a valuable and increasing part in their respective spheres and are bodies of men of which the Colony may justly be proud.”

His Excellency added that a force of native Fijians had been organised, and a force of Fiji Indians was proposed.