Governor And

Crew

Peculiar Incident When "Matua"

Berthed at Suva

AN incident which gave the Governor of Fiji, Sir Brian Freestone, much annoyance, and is typical of the dis orderliness of the times, occurred in Suva at the end of March.

The “Matua” arrived in port, on her way to Tonga and Samoa, and aboard was Dame Salote, Queen of Tonga, returning to Nukualofa from her New Zealand holi day. The Governor wished to go aboard to formally greet the head of the Tongan kingdom; but he was turned away at the gangway.

Because of the infantile paralysis re strictions in New Zealand, the Fiji health authorities still enforce quarantine on ships from that country—although they long have been more honoured in the breach than the observance, and are gen erally condemned.

Fiji passengers arriving on ships from NZ are allowed ashore on condition that they report daily; but other passengers, and crews, cannot land.

When the Governor arrived, he was met at the gangway by the captain and in formed that the crew had decided that, if he came aboard, they would insist on going ashore. The Governor protested that he intended to strictly comply with quarantine regulations—he would report daily to the port doctor.

This was conveyed to the members of the crew: but those arrogant gentlemen would not alter their decision: If His Ex cellency came aboard, they would go ashore.

The attitude of the crew was stupid and unreasonable: and the Governor would have been quite justified in insist ing on his right to go aboard. But it might have led to serious trouble between crew and health officials; so the Gov ernor, rather than embarrass the captain, went away.