Headed For Old Blighty

From a Correspondent

One of the aftermaths of the selection of 200 recruits in Fiji to join British Regular Army, was an announcement that the Governor, Sir \neth Maddocks, had vetoed 22 applicants. Fortunately he did this be the announcement of the names of the men finally chosen, and prob -1 saved a lot of heartburnings. The vetoed men can only guess now ther they were included.

reason, according to an official atement, was that the services men were in the best interests Colony. They were mainly rs and trainee teachers, but were two clerks and four sur inescapable inference was that is peacetime conscription of wer—a man could not choose n future. It seems strange that i had ever heard that no man ispensable. At least that is old soldiers were taught in ervice days. e was another angle, too, and nanent one. If it was good i to veto men in the Govern >ervice, why were not private r ers given the same chance to against the loss of trained key rees?

Par as the recruits themselves oncerned, they seemed to be a lection of men, all youthful, )parently eager to face what -5 ahead of them. No doubt of them have taken the oath 3 they hope to see many new ided among them were several

students from the secondary schools who would probably have been seek ing employment next year. In the last 13 chosen, to make up for 11 defections and two who were re jected because they were married, 11 were from the Ratu Kadavulevu School and the Davuilevu School.

Large crowds thronged Nadi Air port terminal for the departure of the first batch of recruits. They left on a BOAC Britannia for the United Kingdom, Tears and leis, with friends and relations hanging on to the depart ing soldier until the last minute, characterised the scene, which brought back wartime memories to many.

A graceful gesture by the captain of the Britannia, brought the giant aircraft right along the apron in front of the concourse for a last view of the travellers. Then, after take-off, the aircraft flew over to dip its wing in final salute.

A laugh was caused by one lei laden Fijian, happy as a king, who insisted in trying to make one of the security guards share his last can of beer, and then ended up by kissing him heartily.

Governor of Fiji, Sir Kenneth Maddocks, farewells the recruits.— Photo; Rob Wright.