TRAINING FIJIANS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 81, 3 October 1944, Page 6

TRAINING FIJIANS

SOME OF THE PROBLEMS O.C. \ AUCKLAND, This Day. Proems encountered in the preparation of the Fijian forces for service in the Islands, some of " them amusing, were mentioned by Brigadier J. G. C. Wales, former commandant of the Fijian Defence; Forces, in an address to the Auckland Rotary Club yesterday. Most of the Fijians had not worn European clothes and boots, their food was different, ' and many could not speak English. ;'.-..

The Fijians had to be put into full uniform, including boots. "The Fijian's' foot has to be seen to be believed," he said. "He takes a size 14. After about a year, when he has become accustomed to boots, he can. wear about one size smaller."

The men rapidly accustomed themselves to the uniforms and became very -.proud of them. To enable them to wear steel helmets, their fuzzy hair had to be cut off. But once they had been issued with helmets it was. not easy to get these off them again. They thought they were most beautiful and comfortable! They even slept in them. Training the Fijians to eat European food was also a problem. Their natural food comprised root vegetables, such as taro, yam, and tapioca, and fish. After a time this difficulty was overcome. Once trained, the Fijians had proved excellent troops.