Pacific Report
p. 125 · Read in the full issue
The month’s round-up of news and pictures of people and vents, from PIM correspondents in the South Pacific.
n Islands
;ociation in NZ
lothsr Pacific Islands Associa has been formed in Welling- New Zealand. There is one, , in Sydney.
Australia, also, are two or e organisations, like the New lea Women’s Club of Sydney, the New Guinea Association of )Ourne, which are interested in Australian-controlled Islands.
E. M. Ojala, who was a linent officer of the South fic Commission for some years, now is Food and Agriculture misation Regional Economist :he Far East (a UNO post) d that such an Association in vould be a valuable forum for ission of Islands affairs — es illy in view of NZ’s commit ;s in Samoa and Cook Islands. ie new Secretary of the NZ ids Territories Department, J. M. McEwan, praised the and promised the Association nil co-operation of his Depart
lers of the
n Community
suits of the general pressure ijians, to abandon their ancient -political customs, and adopt democratic processes so that may meet the growing Indian lunity on more equal terms, showing up in unexpected s. ere is the latest voting of the cil of Chiefs, for example, e are the head men of all sec of the 150,000 Fijian com ty. They meet every two years, mte for a “panel”, from which Governor selects five Fijian eers to sit in the Legislative cil. The votes went: Mara 351 Edward Cakobau .. .. 331 P. K. Ganilau 304 sa Sikivou 247 ama Vunivalu 234 G. K. Cakobau 220 George Tuisawau .. .. 161 Dovi 81 Vuiyasawa 73 Mataitini 48 aerto, it usually has been the ce to give support as a matter eurse, to Fijian leaders of V, rank. It will be noted that, lis poll, two commoners re 1 many votes, while five men the chiefly Ratu prefix status
were placed, so to speak, below the salt.
The Governor does not neces sarily accept the five men at the top of the poll—he may nominate any of the ten in the panel. The choice will be made by the incom ing Governor, Sir Kenneth Mad docks.
The three outstanding younger men among the Fijian leaders now are Ratu K. K. T. Mara, Ratu Ed ward Cakobau and Ratu Penaia Ganilau. Ratu George Cakobau, who is a direct descendant of King Cakobau, and paramount chief, seems to have fallen somewhat in favour. He has been Second or Third Fijian Member in the Coun cil.
In the voting, fourth place went to Semesa Sikivou, a Queen Vic toria School master; followed by a former Fijian member, Ravuama Vunivalu, who is at present Acting
Secretary of the Education Depart ment.
After Ratu George Cakobau (in sixth place) came Ratu George Tuisawau. Two of the late Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna’s brothers, Ratu J A. R. Dovi and Ratu T. W. T.
Vuiyasawa filled eighth and ninth places.
Good NZ Money From
Tourists and Bananas
Much useful and timely cash was distributed in Apia, and Western Samoa generally, on June 19 and 20, while the Huddart Parker liner Wanganella lay in Apia port, and 350 tourists—mostly New Zealanders —wandered about the big island of Upolu.
There were many entertainments in which Samoan dancing and sing ing were prominent; but the greatest happiness was expressed by both visitors and residents in the shops where large quantities of Samoan artifacts and products changed hands.
The following week, the steamers Crusader and Matua came in and lifted 50,000 cases of bananas for the New Zealand market. (Over)
They WalRed to Lakemba
When the tide goes out at Lakemba, Lau Group Fiji it goes a long long way. as can be seen from this photograph island vessels anchor on the edge of the deep water and there is no way of getting ashore except walk. This is what happened on the day of Ratu sfr Lala Sukuna'a funeral, on june 11. The Fiji army officer, shown here is prepared for the worst and carries an extra pair of sandaU The Navy. on the Other hand, is evidently prepared to take it as it comes. in and reached as far as the houses in the distance.