In Fiii

Lack of Progress In Fiii

Letter to the Editor WHILE the same old campaign is in progress—to persuade the coconut planter that copra is in over supply, so that he may be ready for the cut in his prices, from January, 1953, onwards —it is most interest ing to note that the people of Vic toria are making a great outcry be cause the State Government will not permit the distribution there of more margarine.

It is the same in other countries.

Because of the continually rising price of butter, the masses want more vegetable fats; but dairy farm ing interests succeed in stifling the demand. Dairy farmers have votes.

But copra producers, located mostly in tropical countries, have only a small voice in these matters.

Newspapers printed in the South Pacific Islands are strangely silent on such matters—except when they can say something derogatory about planters. Why, for example, has Fiji only one newspaper?

I would say there is a deliberate policy by the British Government, and perhaps Big Business, to retard the growth and prevent the proper

progress of Fiji and the adjacent Is land groups—a policy of “hasten slowly,” so that much that is done is 25 years behind the times.

In Fiji, for instance, there is no wharf for Lautoka, no hydro-electric scheme for Viti-Levu, no major road for Vanua-Levu, no European Doc tor or really worthwhile hospital in the Lau Group. In the town of Suva, alone, there is much to be done: up to-date wharves and better harbour facilities have been urgently required since the last War.

A Government building pro gramme has been visualised and an nounced officially—but so far that’s as far as it has gone. New build ings for the General Post Office, Automatic Telephone Exchange and Telegraph Office, Government Sav ings Bank, and Broadcasting Station have yet to be erected. (Next Page)

With Dr. Gerd Koch, of Goettingen University, Germany (right), in Apia, Western Samoa, is Mr. A. M. Goran, MLC. Dr, Koch is studying the customs of Polynesian people in Tonga and Samoa and collecting material for a book. (Photo by A. Vercoe.)

The disgraceful situation as re gards hotels, especially in Suva, could be quickly and easily settled by the Government taking a stronger stand. If the owners of the second class hotels are not prepared to in crease and improve their guest ac commodation by erecting decent modern buildings, then the buildings

should be condemned and the owners should have their liquor licences taken away until they do erect proper hotels.

Two modern large-type hotels each capable of catering for the wants of 250-300 guests would be the solution and thus solve the acute, if not serious shortage, of accom

modation being experienced year in year out. The Government is tough enough already in matters of policy within the Colony: so let it get tough with those hotel-owners who have no intention of building (in spite ol rumours to the contrary) and yet are making a very good thing indeed: out of liquor sales and the bar trade: The three old hotels should be re placed with modern buildings anc they, plus the better class Metropole Hotel, Garrick Hotel and the GPH would be ample for Suva’s needs; and would certainly attract the right type of tourist. The present hote' set-up is ridiculous and bad for the towns and should not be counten anced any longer.

I am etc.

Talasiga

Mr. Colin Simpson, author and radio commentator was in Rabual, NG in September in search ofl material for a companion volume ta his successful Adam in Ochre. The new book will not be exclusively, about the natives, however, as European, Chinese and Malay resi dents both Befores and Behinds, wilß figure in it. On one evening during his visit to Rabaul Mr. Simpson was guest-speaker at the New Guineai Club.