Fiji Legislative Council

Meets

A SESSION of the Fiji Legislative Council was opened in Suva, by the Governor, Sir Brian Freeston, on April 12.

In his opening address the Governor said it would probably be the last ses sion of the present Council as he pro posed, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, to dissolve the Coun cil in July to allow elections to be held in August.

The Governor referred to a number of matters he had discussed during his re cent visit to London: Constitutional Re form: The new Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. James Griffiths) pro poses to take no action in the matter of constitutional changes in Fiji until there is evidence that it is desired by a majority in the Colony.

Development Plan: The revised Devel opment Plan has been approved by the Secretary of State and it will now be possible to press ahead with it.

Road Construction: A special alloca tion of 150,000 dollars has been made for buying heavy mechanical road-making plant from the United States. It is hoped that it will be delivered in the Colony before the end of this year.

Salaries Commissioner: The Civil Ser vice Salaries Commissioner, Mr. Mills, is expected to arrive about May 8. The Governor said that he hoped that his report on Fiji salaries may be received in time for its recommendations to be submitted to the new Legislative Council at its first Session, perhaps in September of this year.