Tuberculosis Suspects

In Crowded Suva

SUVA, July 25.

WHEN Fijian tuberculosis suspects in the outer areas are sent to Suva for X-ray examination, they are packed off in the usual blind faith of Government officials that all Fijians always have relatives every where who will house them, feed them and look after them generally until they reach hospital.

In practice this usually works out because Fijians, unlike most Euro peans and Asiatics, regard it as a disgrace if needy or suffering Fijians are not looked after.

Accordingly, the TB suspects— most of them are pretty certain sus pects—have to be crammed into the overcrowded huts and tenements of Suva, and the hosts are very well aware of the risk they themselves and their families run by doing this.

Judging by a vigorous Fijian pro test, it appears that neither the Medical Department nor the apparently moribund War Memorial Anti-Tuberculosis Trust Fund Board (with a fund of £80,000) has yet thought about doing anything to end the scandal.

Yet leprosy patients, who are mostly non-Fijians, are provided with proper reception quarters while they are at Suva awaiting transport to the hospital at Makogai.

Changes in Overseas Telecom munications Commission’s staff in August included; L. K. Mitchell, Supervising Technician, Suva to Cottesloe, WA; D. B. Treliving - , Supervisor, Suva to Sydney; J.

O’Connor, Radio Officer, Thursday Island to Townsville; E. I. Hyde, Radio Officer, Kavieng to Towns ville; R. H. Payne, Telegraphist, Suva to Sydney; F. C. James, Senior Technician, Port Moresby to Applecross, WA; J. W. Gray, Radio Officer, La Perouse to Port Moresby J. Rodda, Telegraphist, Sydney to Fanning Island.