Guam’S New Governor

Speaks Out

'THE inaugural address of the new .. Governor of Guam (Mr. Ford Q.

Elvidge) given to the Guam ESgislature on June 8 was notable c>r its directness of approach. Mr. ividge had been on the Island only

three weeks but it was obvious that he had not wasted any time in making himself fully cognisant of the more pressing problems.

Mr. Elvidge said that before he arrived on the island he had heard ugly rumours and stories concern ing the administration of the De

partment of Medical Services and particularly the Guam Memorial Hospital. He had made an intensive study of the medical services and hospital and found that while there were many features that were com mendable, the administration of the tuberculosis branch of the hospital

Mr. Elvidge

and the care of the TB patients left much to be desired.

The Governor outlined a pro gramme for the betterment of these services and urged the passing of legislation to tighten up the laws

on gambling.

Referring to the twenty-five or more boards, commissions and agencies in the governmental set up, the Governor said, “In a Gov ernment the size of ours here it would seem that there must be a great deal of overlapping. I would suggest that you restudy this phase.

“I hope,” he continued, “that you will have a great deal of money for capital replacements and per manent construction. This island has a terrific need for sound, per manent public structures, par ticularly schools and hospitals. I think our Government is doing too much public work through its own public works department. More of it should be let out in competitive bid ding to private contractors. In that way, you would help build up private enterprise on the Island and at the same time get the work done more cheaply, more speedily and more efficiently.”

Norfolk Island recently had an unscheduled visit from Fijian soldiers when the plane on which they were travelling was diverted to Norfolk because Noumea was closed by bad weather.