Otels And Headaches

In Suva

Problems of Fiji Tourism

From R. W. Robson.

Suva, Oct. 20.

f was one of those unpleasant mornings in Suva. There was no dside tea and, when I snarled at ; anxious Indian room-waiter, he plained that the milk had not •ned up.

I sat in at breakfast and ordered sh pawpaw, one of life’s com nsations in Fiji. “No pawpaw to- Y,” said the waiter. I compromised prunes—which had been gallant ling plums in NZ long years ago and ordered fresh fish. When the i came, it was mostly batter. I ust it aside, and opened my heart the sternlooking man opposite. ‘What a menu!” I moaned. “What breakfast! I’ve been coming here ■ 20 years. It hasn’t changed.” d more to the same effect.

He wasn’t co-operative. In fact, seemed to resent me. “What uld you suggest?” he grumped. ‘Local fruits and vegetables—and ne imagination,” I said. I spoke length, and felt that I was doing

well. But my neighbour was unim pressed, and sour.

“Good morning—good morning,” said a bright voice—and there was David Butler, Fiji manager of Union SS Co. “May I introduce Mr.

Woods, our Islands manager—just here on a visit, to look us over.”

I sank slowly into a state of horror. The man whom I had been addressing bright remarks on the breakfast menu of the Grand Pacific Hotel was the Islands manager of the Hotel’s owner, Union SS Co. of NZ. I drew a veil over an embarrassing incident.

But there was a sequel. Next day, at the GPH, I was one of a luncheon party arranged by Mr. Woods. We had soup, fish, beefsteak with three vegetables, a sweet, Brodie biscuits and cheese; and my courteous host pointed out, in a casual aside, that everything on that table was a product of Fiji.

Actually, the old GPH (established 1914, according to the foundation stone) is very well managed; but distressing accidents occasionally do happen to supplies. The accommo dation problem in Suva is as acute as ever. If Suva had half a dozen GPH’s, Fiji could cope with the rich tourist traffic that is available, and that Fiji deserves.