Sandals for Fiji Police
p. 49 · Read in the full issue
Prom Our Own Correspondent
Suva. Feb. 2.
“ a POLICEMAN’S feet are not usually A objects of sentiment except to the owner,” stated a recent “Fiji Times” report, but last week the feet of at least 50 Fijian policemen nearly became a national calamity.
The Police Force of Fiji is predomi nantly Fijian, with European officers in the higher posts and with an Indian minority group within the Force which works remarkably well with the Fijians.
But as far as the public is concerned, “the police” in Fiji means a massive bushy-haired Fijian with an excellent knowledge of his job, tact, toughness when it is required, and usually a limit less fund of good-humour.
The on-duty uniform of the Fijian con stable or non-commissioned-officer ends with the pointed scallops of his white sulu. Bare feet, up to now, have been a tradition. , „ But for a long time a number of police men have been suffering at intervals from troublesome feet. Although har dened to travel on bush tracks or beaches or even coral reefs, they do ndt stand up so well to hours of duty on chilly or burning hot pavements, or to concrete floors during the cool-season nights.
In 1946, a number of Fijian policemen in Suva asked for permission to wear sandals while on duty, and in 1946 the Legislative Council agreed to a vote of £6OO to provide sandals. But the Police were still without their footwear when last week the Police Guard of Honour marched to the King’s Wharf for the arrival of the new Governor. The blaz ing heat was surging up from Suva’s bitumen streets and concrete pavements.
A few men had to fall out on the march.
The guard which was drawn up in front of the wharf entrance for a lengthy period of ceremonial slowly grilled. Many of them were barely able to walk back to the central station.
Next day it was reported that the num ber of casualties was 58.
After a considerable amount of public indignation had manifested itself it was stated that “sandals will be available for issue to Fijian members of the Force within the next two weeks.”