GOVERNOR OF FIJI

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23719, 18 August 1942, Page 4

GOVERNOR OF FIJI

* MAJOR-GENERAL SIR PHILIP MITCHELL

VIGOROUS PERSONALITY (0.C.) SUVA, July 29, The newly-appointed Governor of Fiji, Major-General Sir Philip Mitchell, K.C.M.G., M.C., successor to Sir Harry Luke, has already created a very favourable impression in the colony. In his first public address, made immediately he had been sworn in by the Chief Justice, his Excellency informed the public that he had come to Fiji to wage war. "It is the duty of all ox us to wage war,” he said. ‘‘That is the sole purpose I have in coming here —to assist the forces stationed in. the area entrusted to me, to the extent of our limited resources, to wage war. You can be sure that if we do not wage war we will not survive.” The new Governor, whose vigorous physique was referred to by Negley Farson in his book, “Behind God’s Back,” was appointed Governor of Uganda in 1935, after service in other parts of Africa, and he also served in the last war. Latterly he has been serving as Chief Political Officer on the staff of tne General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, East Africa. In January of last year Sir Philip was specially selected as Chief Political Officer to General Wavell. He was created C.M.G. in 1933 and K.C.M.G. in 1937. The following description appears in Farson’s book:—"In a Government seat full of pukka sahibs whose complacency was painful; in a stifling setting like this (which you, and the natives, must endure round the globe wherever it is painted red) it was stimulating to encounter, once again, one of those ‘characters’ in the British overseas services who are the vertebrae of its unbreakable backbone. Men, usually at the top, who keep themselves physically and therefore mentally fit, and are consequently several mental jumps ahead of the class-ob-sessed ‘gentlemen’ under them. Governor Sir Philip Euen Mitchell, K.C.M.G., M.C.. was like this.”

‘T have no hesitation in saying that of all British countries overseas, New Zealand has a record second to none in her contribution of men to the fighting forces, her primary production and the making of munitions within her capacity. She has a right to be proud of it,” said the High Commissioner for Britain in New Zealand (Sir Harry Batterbee), addressing the Auckland Rotary Club yesterday. ‘‘The prowess of the New Zealand Division, nakeha and Maori alike, wherever they Rave fought, will bring undying glory to this Dominion. I have a son in the Royal Marines now serving in the Middle East and he has told me both of their fighting qualities and their kindness and good comradeship.”—