Generally Acclaimed

Knighthood For Ratu Sukuna Is

Suva, Jan. 4.

T'HE award of a knighthood to Ratu A Sukuna, one of the outstanding men of Fiji, has been received with general satisfaction.

Mr. Alport Barker, proprietor of “The Fiji Times,” has been given the CBE. He has given years of public service to Fiji, especially in Municipal affairs, and this also is an honour well-earned.

THE following is the full list of New Year Honours for residents of Cen tral Pacific Territories: KBE.—Ratu J. L. V. Sukuna, CBE, who becomes Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna.

CMG. —Hon. J. F. Nicoll.

CBE.—Mr. T. W. Alport Barker.

King’s Police Medal.—Hon I. E Lucchinelli.

MBE.—Aisea Vasutoga, Roko Tui Nadroga.

British Empire Medal (Civil).—Peni Sokia.

Certificate of Honour.—Tomasi Duari sali. Buli Viwa (Yasawas); Poasa FenibnU, Fijian Magistrate.

Military Awards

CBE. Mil.—Brigadier G. Dittmer, DSO.

Mbe. Mc.

OBE. Mil—Commander H. A. Hill, RNR (Retd.). mbf MU.—Contain J. P. Brodie (2nd NZEF, Fiii section): Captain R. A. D.

Kable. FMF; Sgt. Major (WG2) Samu Aporosa, FMF.

In Solomon Islands

MBE. —Maior N. Crichlow; Lieut. F.

M Campbell.

British Emnire Medal.—Sgt. Vunga, Sgt. Irofiala, Willie Paia.

In G And El Colony

MBE.—Lieut. Osborne, Sgt. Major Manuella.

BEM. —Matuake, chief Kaubure.

Remarkable Career of Fiji's

Leading Chief

A GREAT part of the strength of the British Colonial system lies in the policy which governs through exist ing native social structure. By this means, administration is carried on with the minimum of interference from Gov ernment and the preservation of all that is best in traditional culture is assured.

Further, this

system gives every oppor t u n i t y to gifted mem bers of a na tive race to take a leading part in the adminis tration of their own country.

For that, among other reasons, the award of a knighthood to Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, KBE, of Fiji, is one of the most

interesting of

the New Year honours. This exception ally gifted man is an outstand ing example of the interlock in g of Im -

perial ard native systems of govern ment, As chief of the Fijian Native Af fairs Office he exercises his authority, both by right of his position under the British Colonial Office, and as a para mount chief of Fiji.

RATU SIR LALA SUKUNA is one of the most interesting as well as one of the most eminent figures in the Pacific. Born on the tiny island of Bau, home and birthplace of the old Fijian kings, he was educated at Wanganui, NZ, and subsequently at Oxford.

As an Oxford undergraduate, Sir Lala endeavoured to enlist in the Imperial Forces on the outbreak of World War I in 1914. This did not prove possible, so he bought his ticket on the Channel boat and crossed to France, where he enlisted in the French Foreign Legion.

In the Legion the appearance of a young Fijian chief did not attract much attention among the varied nationalities, creeds and colours represented. They must have been difficult years, however.

Sir Lala never speaks of how he won his French decoration for gallantry, but he recalls with grim relish the ingenuity with which the hungry Legionnaires eked out their meagre rations. It is his boast that by collecting dandelions and other grasses and herbs, to be found growing wild in Flanders fields, he could still concoct a salad to delight an epicure.

Invalided out of the Legion, he re turned to Fiji in time to go away as a senior non-commissioned officer with the Fiji Labour Company, which operated in the Channel ports and in the south of Italy until the end of the war.

WHEN the war was over, Sir Lala re turned to Oxford to complete his degree. He then studied for the Bar and, after being admitted as a

Katu Sir Lala Sukuna.

barrister of the Inner Temple, returned to Fiji and joined the Civil Service.

His advancement was steady through out the years, and he filled several senior posts, until he crowned his career about 18 months ago with the appointment of Adviser on Native Affairs. He was the first native Fijian to hold the position, and, as never before, he is now the un disputed and supreme leader of the

Fijian people.

During the Second World War, he acted as recruiting officer for the Fiji Military Forces and, by his influence and authority, raised all the manpower for a force through which passed more than 11,000 men. He holds the rank of Lieut.- Colonel.

MANY New Zealanders who have served with the Fijians know Sir Lala.

The most fortunate are those who have been received in his home and entertained with the lavish hospitality for which he is so justly famed. A man of culture, a profound scholar, a polished and witty speaker, this Fijian is a colour ful and outstanding character.

In him is a splendid blend of European and Fijian characteristics. It is his regret that the requirements of his work in war time have interrupted the text-book on philosophy which has been under way for some years. He subscribes to literary and economic journals. He has enjoyed the confidence of Governors. His speech as a representative of Fiji at the Coronation celebrations was widely acclaimed in London.

Despite all this, he observes closely the customs and traditions of his own proud race. He habitually wears native cos tume, including the “sulu” —smart scol loped kilt—and leather sandals, with bare legs. He is just as likely to quaff “yaqona (the famed “kava” of Fiji) as whisky,

and a Sukima dinner party which begins with conventional “hors d’oeuvres” may continue with soused raw fish or turtle steaks.

IT is impossible to o'.er-emphasis 3 the influence of this man in the well being of his people. To them he is an unfailing oracle, and he rewards them with unfailing loyalty and the full power of his energies. As chairman of the Native Land Trust he has been and is being instrumental in the preservation of the Fijian’s richest heritage, the land.

In medicine, sanitation, education, re habilitation, communications, agriculture —in all these, and in many other direc tions, Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna is working for the welfare of his people.

It is by his wish that he is to be styled Ratu Sir Lala, and that is in itself significant. Ratu is his chiefly Fijian title, and it continues to take precedence over the highest honour bestowed by any other than his own people. .

THE new title, of course, is shared by his wife, who is to be known as Lady Maraia. She was herself awarded the MBE, in the last New Year honours.

Like her husband, Lady Maraia adheres closely to the customs of her race. A poised and polished hostess, speaking beautiful English, she still rarely wears shoes, and her hair is dressed in accord ance with the old-time style.

Lady Maraia is quite as much at home in the lounge of Government House as she is in the Fijian village houses, and her new dignity will sit easily upon her.—M.W.

Mr. Clive Brewster, who has been serv ing in the RAAF with the rank of group captain, has now been demobilised and has returned to Suva, Fiji.

Over 330 people were prosecuted in Fiji recently for non-payment of resi dential or income taxes. Europeans and Euronesians, although they form only 4 quarter of the number of prosecutions,