Of Defence ”

Is Still “First Line Of Defence ”

Tom a Suva Correspondent ’sitors to Fiji early in May heads of the New Zealand y and Royal New Zealand Force (the youthful Major ?ral L. W. Thornton and Air Marshal M. F. Colder). For jr-General Thornton it was jmiliarisation visit, and for Vice Marshal Colder it was lave a last official look at lAF installations in Fiji be he retires on June 30.

H their close association with e RNZAF, the people of Fiji I most interest in the air il. What would be the future RNZAF at Laucala Bay, and nbering 20-odd-years-old Sun i flying boats?

Vice Marshal Calder gave a ;d answer. No decision had nade about a replacement for ;eing Sunderlands, for flying were not now being manufacthe Sunderlands still ibout five years useful service them, so the natural inference in Fiji is that the Laucala ase will remain in existence 1967. If seaplanes are not actured in the meantime it be that the RNZAF will base aissance and anti-submarine t at Nadi, which Air Vice Mar raider considers could easily vith civil and service aircraft. did he ignore the possibility ne sort of land plane being at Suva Point, should a deci e made to reclaim land for an ). He suggested this as well examining, and that laying the :ould be a co-operative effort n Fiji and New Zealand.

Base to Remain eems certain that Fiji will re- New Zealand’s first line of de and that the RNZAF will have in the Colony for many years ne. or-General Thornton had a more extensive itinerary, which lim through Fiji, Tonga, Samoa le Tokelaus. As New Zealand 2S many of the senior officers e Fiji Military Forces, and is responsible for training many )ldiers in New Zealand, Major al Thornton was naturally

anxious to make a close inspection of as many military installations as possible.

There was nothing to suggest that all was not well within the scope of the defence vote.

Major-General Thornton gave details of the number of Fiji soldiers who have received training in New Zealand. In all aspects of soldiering, 225 soldiers from Fiji have gone to New Zealand in the last 10 years, and 15 officers and 72 other ranks have attended the Army School for specialised work.

Territorians Abroad

Mrs. F. M. Stewart, of Lae, New Guinea, and daughter Ella (Mrs.

Birrell) are planning another wander abroad. Mrs. Stewart (affectionately known throughout the Territory as “Flo”) has done much world-wander ing since she sold the Cecil Hotel at Lae. The Territory’s pioneer hotel owners seem to have itchy feet, Mrs. Alice Innes, whose Salamaua Hotel was one of New Guinea’s famous hostelries before the war, is now one of Sydneys’ most consistent globetrotters.