FIJIANS HELPED

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32235, 2 March 1970, Page 12

FIJIANS HELPED

Education Grants 1 Grants to assist six children from outlying Fijian islands ; to attend Fijian secondary schools this year had been re- ! newed, said Miss C. Wood, : the secretary of the Canterbury branch of the Royal ’ Commonwealth Society, yesterday. “It is hoped that enough money will be forthcoming from donations and promised donations to enable the . children to attend secondary : school for four years.” said [ Miss Wood. She said that in 1969 the branch had sent $233.33 to Fiji. The society’s Canterbury . branch, which was founded in ' 1913 and has no national ex- [ ecutive, ’ began assisting [ Fijian children after a spe- ! cial branch meeting was held jin October, 1968, said Mr B. ‘IE, V. Parham, the vice-j [president, who has visited KUi . I '[ “The society felt that it] [wanted to stretch out a bit! [ beyond New Zealand and assist in a practical way in the Pacific neighbourhood,” he said. It was found that many parents in outlying islands could not afford to send their children to secondary schools, which were on the main islands, said Mr Parham. The branch chose six names, from a list prepared by the Fijian Education Department, on the basis of annual examination marks and the financial position of the parents. The Fijian Government provides a 50 per cent subsidy on the annual fees iof 8100. said Mr Parham. [ “With the approach of I Fiji’s independence, it be- ■ comes of even greater signiI flcance as a practical gesture lof good will at an important I period in Pacific affairs,” he I, said.