Army Forces

Fiji Establishes New Army Forces

From Our Own Correspondent SUVA. August 4.

THE Legislative Council of Fiji to-day gave unanimous assent to the Fiji Military Forces Bill, which provides for Regular, Territorial and Reserve Forces in the Colony.

During the debate on the Bill, the Acting Colonial Secretary (Mr. R. M.

Taylor) said: “This Bill will help Fiji de fend the way of life which the Western democracies enjoy and intend to continue to enjoy.”

Referring to the decisive conscription referendum in New Zealand, Mr. Taylor said: “This is Fiji’s opportunity to show that she stands beside her neighbour in the task of mutual defence.”

Members representing all three races spoke in Council in support of the Bill.

Of the four Indian members (Mr. A. D.

Patel was absent) Mr. Vishnu Deo was the only speaker. He commended the fact that under the new legislation the terms of service will be the same for all races. (The reason usually given for Indian non-participation in the Second World War forces in Fiji is that Indians were not offered the same pay as Euro peans.) Now that the Bill has become law, the Government proposes to start limited re cruiting. The initial intake will consist almost entirely of men from the existing Territorials, who are almost exclusively Fijians.

Rev. Stewart Hurse, BA, and Mrs.

Hurse, have gone from Australia to take up work in the Presbyterian Mission field in the New Hebrides, vacated by the Rev. W. F. Paton. Mr. Paton retired a few months ago owing to ill-health.