More Indians For Fiji
p. 19 · Read in the full issue
Nukulau Again in Use as a Quarantine Station
Suva, May 12
THE Fiji Medical Department has put up a “Keep Out” sign on Nukulau Island which lies about eight miles off Suva, and the Suva Yacht Club has had. as a result, to rearrange its race schedule for this season.
The reason is that in early June the “Crma” will arrive from India with more settlers for this Little India of the Pacific —how many is not yet known, but the number is believed to be considerable.
This is the first time since the abolition of indentured labour that Nukulau has reverted to its original function as a
quarantine station.
Disinfection equipment is being hur riedly installed on Nukulau because, ac cording to an official announcement, “owing to supply difficulties in India, the owners of the vessel have been unable to instal the steam disinfection and disin fecting equipment which is needed to comply with the quarantine requirements of the health authorities in Fiji.”
Many travellers between Fiji and New Zealand, who wait long months for the privilege of being allotted a mattress-on the-floor, will no doubt be delighted to hear that these Indians will be settled in Fiji—while they are still waiting. (Ed. Note: There are about 350 Indians on the “Or-ma,” the majority of whom are returning to the Colony after holidaying in India. They are not new settlers. It is interesting to note that, in spite of Indian propaganda about semi slavery and racial discrimination in Fiji, they return to the Colony in preference to living in Mother India.)