Popular Governor?

Sir Ronald

Garvey

A Further Term For Popular Governor?

BECAUSE of his unusual know ledge and skill in handling the complex political situation in Fiji, it is likely that petitions shortly will go forward from community leaders there to the British Colonial Office, asking that Sir Ronald Garvey, KCMG, KCVO, be appointed to the Governorship of the Crown Colony for a further term.

Sir Ronald was appointed to Fiji, from the Governorship of British Honduras, in 1952, and his term ex pires in October next. He has had remarkable success in Fiji in bring ing the different communities there to a better appreciation of each other’s problems, and of the common problem.

It is thought that if Sir Ronald were allowed to remain in Fiji for another three years, he might be able to bring his work of the past four years to a logical conclusion, and accomplish a task that hitherto has defeated all Fiji’s Governors — —namely, the introduction of a Constitution that will provide for the growing stresses in racial re lationships there, and give some economic progress.

The community leaders fear that if Sir Ronald leaves Fiji now, Fiji may be saddled with a Governor who is without knowledge of the Colony’s very peculiar political set-up. In such circumstances, an attempt almost certainly would be made to rule Fiji by the usual rule-of-thumb methods (Fiji is actually a benev olent autocracy—the Governor has complete power over the Admin istration) ; and this, in turn, could lead to racial clashes and much political trouble.

The appointment of Sir Ronald Garvey, in 1952, was a very happy one. Sir Ronald, now 53, spent the first 16 years of his Colonial Office service in Fiji and the British Territories of the South Pacific; gained a thorough knowledge of Fiji’s peculiar problems; and, in Suva, he married Miss Pat McGusty, daughter of a prominent officer of the Colonial Service. After 10 years’ further service in Africa and West Indies, where he rose rapidly to the rank of Governor, he returned to Fiji as head of the Colony.

As both he and Lady Garvey knew Fiji intimately, they started where most Governors usually leave off. Very soon he was exercising a marked influence on political and social conditions, which now are tranquil and happy, while she may be described, without equivocation, as the most popular Governor’s lady in Fiji within the memory of the present generation.

However, more is involved than a mere request to London.

After one more term of service, Sir Ronald will be in line for re tirement. He has earned sub stantial promotion. If he retires from a Governorship of higher status than Fiji, his Colonial Office pension will be substantially greater; and that is a consideration, for the Garveys have a small family, now at the expensive education stage.

Sir Ronald Garvey probably would be happy to remain in Fiji, where all races are his friends, and where his specialised knowledge may be of great value in relation to the future Constitution. But he cannot be expected to remain, if that involves a severe financial sacrifice. This, of course, is a matter for the Colonial Office.

If the peace and future good government of Fiji can be secured at the cost of some higher emolu ment for the Governor, the gain will be very cheap at the price.