Fiji's Battalion Comes Home

With 3 Years' Service Behind Them—

From Malaya

THERE will be no lack of warmth in the welcome which Fiji is preparing for the return of the First Battalion, Fiji Infantry Regiment, due by ship in Suva on on Monday, June 18.

A long list of official ceremonies has been prepared, from a formal welcome by the Governor, to a spectacular march through the streets, and Fijian feasting. But the real feeling will be in the greetings which the soldiers will receive from the crowds of people of all com munities who will gather spontane ously along the line of march.

The offer by Fiji over three years ago of a battalion of trained jungle fighters, to help restore order against the Red terrorists in Malaya was a gesture of goodwill to Britain that was noted through out the world.

The manner in which the Battalion comported itself in Malaya, in the jungle and on the sports field, has added greatly to the reputation of the Fijians as soldiers; and all communities in Fiji are very proud of them.

But nothing has stilled the long ing in Fijian hearts for the return of the young men. The fact that they return with honours thick upon them will give a keen edge to the popular welcome. It will be an occasion not soon forgotten.

The Suva welcome will be f<pl lowed by a whole series of District welcomes. A PRO statement says that the men (several with wives and families) c<bme from the fol lowing places; 134 come from Tailevu Province, 59 from Rewa, 34 from Naitasiri, 91 from Ba, 31 from Nadroga and Navosa, 18 from Serua and Namosi, 31 from Ra, 83 from Cakaudrove, 36 from Macuata, 39 from Bua, 123 from Lau, 62 from Lomaiviti and 69 from Kadavu.

THE transport will arrive early in the morning of the 18th. There will be brief official ceremonies —mostly military—at the wharf.

The troops will disembark later in the morning and form up in the open space at the main docks.

They will then march through flag-bedecked streets to Albert Park.

En route, they will pass the Town Hall, where the Mayor of Suva will receive a salute.

In Albert Park, on a special dais, the Governor (Sir Ronald Garvey) will be waiting. The high chiefs of Fiji will be seated on one side; and, on the other, will be assembled the leading citizens and officials of all the communities. The formal and official welcome home will be given by His Excellency.

There will be the traditional

Yaqona ceremony, the presentation of a tdbua, and a token Magiti (Fijian feast). The real Magiti— the preparation of which takes a lot of time —will come later in the day, in the Battalion’s camp. Two Mekes will take place.

The Battalion thereafter will march to its camp, which will be open to visitors from 3.15 p.m. to 5 p.m.

On Sunday, June 24, there * be a drumhead service at Albl Park and on Monday, June 25. t Regiment’s new colours, provid by the Defence Club, will formally presented by the Govern in a full-dress ceremonial parade Between June 18 and 28, j military and Government authorit will be very busy, arranging fori transfer of the men to civilian I and providing suitable equipm for their new occupations.

On June 28, the men will be to return to their villages, and] another round of welcoi] ceremonies and feasts.

And Poses Some Questions For Fiji's Government

ALTHOUGH there are less than a thousand men listed there, it is probable that nearly 2,000 young Fijians actually have experi enc e and campaign conditions in Malaya.

Therein lies what now will be come the most important factor of the Malayan adventure: What will be the social effect of Malaya upon these 2,000 young Fijians, who will become probably the backbone of the future Fijian civilian set-up in Fiji.

They have seen a large section of the world, and they have received a lot of training in addition to mil itary training. Will this be a help or a hindrance to the Government,

in conditioning Fiji for the alrej developing socio-economic struj between the various communil (Fijians, Indians, Europeans, Europeans, Chinese) ?

Will the young Fijians settle W quietly in Fijian life? Will they p fer the old village ways, or will t! help the Government in the int duction of a more individualij way of life, so as to prepare ] Fiji community as a whole for] new living conditions of the futq Once the Malayan veterans ij settled back in their homes, foregoing will appear among j Fijian administrators’ Number < questions.