THE FIJIAN SOLDIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 141, 14 June 1917, Page 4

THE FIJIAN SOLDIERS.

MB. M. RUDD'S TRIBUTE,

A GALLANT COMPANY. OF UNDOUBTED WORTH. Mr. M- Rudd, lately temporary manager for the Union Company at Suva, and now returned to the local office of the company, is confident that the soldiers which Fiji recently equipped and sent away are among tie finest that have ever gone forth to battle. " They are the sons of chiefs,'' said Mr. Rudd, "and are tbe blue blood of the Fijian Islands. Your papers have expressed doubt as to the fitness of these men for active service! Let mc tell you that after a week in camp they marched along the streets of Suva with all the saving and regularity of a trained battalion. They have the ginger of tbe born fighter, and with the discipline to which tbey are subservient, will prove to be the representatives of a great people, and will make good." " The men that are left are not by any means all that have offered their services. They were picked because of their special knowledge, and are among the finest and most expeditious cargo workers that we have at the present time. From their ranks they can produce football and hockey teams, players of tennis, and other games. These men arc not uncivilised natives, but educated men. who have travelled. Among them is llata Sakuna, the Oxford graduate, who has returned from the front and is going back again. Tbe force as seen marching along the Suva roads will never be forgotten. The majority of the men were over 6 feet in height, and averaged 14 stone in weight. Enormous fellows, and only a few of tliose who are prepared to go on service.

"The recruiting of these men was a fine work. At one Island, from which '22 men were required. 150 immediately enlisted. That is an instance to show how anxious these men are to 'do their bit.' I have heard people say that the Island soldiers will go down when forced to wear boots, but that is unlikely, for the majority of the men have been educated in Australia and New Zealand, and have been Europeanised by living in these countries.

" They are intended for transport work, but I firmly believe that, once they get into the firing line, they will assert themselves and make a great name for the men of Fiji. Mr. Henry Marks and his firm each gave £5,000 for the equipment of the men. They were "iven all the things necessary to make the voyage.

•'The farewell ceremonies at Suva were enormous functions, and thousands of people attended to see the men prior to sailing away. They were a fine company of soldiers, leaving to do a great work well."