GOVERNOR OF FIJI

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28450, 3 December 1957, Page 10

GOVERNOR OF FIJI

Arrival Of Sir Ronald Garvey The Governor of Fiji (Sir Ronald Garvey) has two special missions on his present visit to New Zealand—to thank the people of the Dominion for their assistance

to lepers and to tell them of the enormous expansion of the tourist industry in Fiji. ‘‘This is the first time that I have come to New Zealand in my capacity as patron of the Lepers Trust Board and the main purpose of this visit is to express and show our appreciation of the magnificent generosity in contributing funds to this very humanitarian cause.” Sir Ronald Garvey said on his arrival in Christchurch. “I am particularly happy that I shall be able to attend the board’s meetings in Christchurch this Saturday and there I shall say more about the work at Makogai and elsewhere.” Interest in Fiji was at present centred in the development of the tourist industry which was now worth £500,000 a year to the colony, Sir Ronald Garvey said. ‘‘ln my Budget address to the Legislative Council about 10 days ago. I mentioned proposals for further expanding the industry—particularly by concessions through which the Government may encourage the improvement of hotel accommodation. A bottle-neck at present exists in the availability of hotel rooms for our increasing flow of visitors.” Sir Ronald Garvey said the Budget speech suggested:—(l) that hotel proprietors be granted favourable terms for building on Crown land; (2) that customs concessions be allowed on materials for building hotels; (3) and that special income tax terms be granted —all three for the first few years when prospective hotel proprietors had to get over their but there migh be interesting possibilities, Sir Ronald Garvey said, initial hurdles. “I am confident that these proposals will receive legislative approval and would expect it to be granted not later than next March,” Sir Ronald Garvey said ‘‘This should give those interested early information so that they may plan to help increase our hotel accommodation and thus enable us to take advantage of the rising tourist trade in which New Zealand is so interested.” Another matter, which would interest New Zealanders was the recent discovery on Vanua Levu, one of the largest islands of the Fiji group, of radio-active materials. Their description had not yet been determined, nor had the extent of the reef been assessed;