The Queen

To Visit Fiji

Unique Honour for South

Pacific Islands

HER MAJESTY the Queen of England and the British Com monwealth nations, accom lanied by the Duke of Edinburgh vill visit the South Pacific Islands ;his year. ’ FlJl—December 17 and 18 (Thurs iay, Friday), sailing early Dec. 19 or TONGA—December 20 (Sunday).

This is an event unique in history, fever before has the head of any ;reat nation visited the Islands of he South Pacific. On this occasion, ire not only receive a visit from loyalty, but the visit is being made y the reigning head of the British Impire, who is the world’s greatest aonarch.

Before the new Governor of Fiji, lir Ronald Garvey, left London, at be end of August, he had audience rith the Queen. It then was known hat Her Majesty might possibly lake her deferred visit to the mtipodes via the West Indies oute; and it is believed that Sir Donald made an appeal that, if the •oyal Party should cross the 'acific, a call should be made at iji.

There were indications that the ►ueen was interested in this plea; ut the secret was well kept. Sir ionald knew in December that the lute of the Royal Party, travelling n the liner Gothic, definitely ould be via Panama, with a call t Suva likely; but he could not ly anything of the pending event util the official announcement was lade in London.

It is an honour that will live [ways in the history of the Crown olony.

PHE visit to Nukualofa, chief town of Tonga, scheduled for December 20, is an unexpected idition to the Royal Tour, and it widely welcomed as a very great )mpliment to the independent ngdom of Tonga, and the two larming people at the head of it, ueen Salote and Prince Tugi.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, id the Queen of Tonga will not eet as strangers, however: Queen alote, as a specially-invited guest, ill be present at the coronation : Queen Elizabeth, in London, in me.

The British Royal Party will >end January in New. Zealand and ebruary and March in Australia,

and thence will go on to Ceylon, en route to Europe.

Representatives For

Coronation

Persons to represent officially practically every British Administra tion in the South Pacific Islands have now been chosen to attend the ceremonies connected with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in London in June, and all are now preparing for departure.

Latest and most interesting an nouncement (on February 5) is that two or three European officers, and 25 native members of the Royal Papua-New Guinea Constabulary, will go to the Coronation. Names will be announced at any time; and —unless it is to travel the expensive way, by air—the contingent probably will depart for England within a short time.

Reports from Port Moresby, Rabaul, Honiara, Suva, Apia, Raro tonga, Nukualofa and some smaller centres indicate that preparations are afoot to celebrate the important event, with ceremonies and displays, on the day and evening of the Coronation.

Fiji’s official Coro nation representatives are (left to right) the Hen. Vishnu Deo, Senior Indian Mem ber of Fiji Legislative Council and an in dent and insurance agent; the Hon H.

Maurice Scott, DFC, Senior Elected Euro pean Member of the Fiji Legislative Coun cil and a barrister and solicitor; and Ratu G. K. Cakobau, lead ing chief by birth in Fiji, and a nominated Member of Legislative Council.

Photo by Fiji Public Relations Office.