Idle Fijians Sent
p. 14 · Read in the full issue
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Firm Measures Taken
A RECENT announcement in the Fiji Government Gazette extended the application of the Defence Regula tion dealing with the evacuation of natives. The regulations now apply to areas within a three-miles radius of the Nausori Post Office, the Lautoka Post Office, the District Commissioner’s Courts at Nadi, Levuka and Ba, and, in the case of the Tavua gold-mines, all that area which has already been declared a pro tected area.
It was reported in November “PIM” that one of the first duties undertaken by Ratu J. L. V. Sukuna, on assuming the office of Adviser on Native Affairs, was to issue instructions to certain Fijians who had drifted to Suva, to leave the town and return to their villages.
One of the most serious aspects of war conditions in Fiji is the drift of native Fijians to Suva and large centres, where they spend their time idly. This latest regulation is also designed to force the natives back to a more normal mode of life, where they will be under the disci plinary care of their chiefs and their parents.
Since the announcement at the begin ning of September that the regulation was to be enforced in the Suva area, 450 evacuation orders have been issued. It is estimated that during the period a still larger number of natives left the area of their own accord. Some of them, however, when they left Suva, went to other centres and not to their homes.
The application of the regulation has therefore been extended to these centres, and selected Fijians are being appointed to obtain the information necessary for the issue of evacuation orders in the new areas.
Certain of those against whom evacua tion orders were issued have been medi cally examined, and some of these have been found to be infected with venereal disease. The number of cases is small compared with the total number of Fijians in the area, but it is hoped that the enforcement of the evacuation regulation will result in a still further reduction.
The general situation with regard to venereal disease in the Colony is regarded by the medical authorities as being rea sonably satisfactory. Since the war began, active steps have been taken by the Medical Department and the mili tary authorities to limit the spread of infection, and the present organisation which deals with this, is considered to be up-to-date and effective.
The London Missionary Society has appointed Reatau, one of the most promising Papuan students trained in Lawes College, to act as chaplain to the Papuan labourers in the service of the Army.