DEFENCE OF FIJI

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 May 1942, Page 4

DEFENCE OF FIJI

GOVERNOR’S*BROADCAST (Official News Service, N.Z.E.F.) SUVA, May 25. Broadcasting to the people of Fiji and the Western Pacific on Empire Day, Sir Harry Luke, Governor and High Commissioner, declared that victory had become “a personal necessity for each one of us, seeing that, without it, none of the races dwelling in these groups of islands can look into the Future with anything but despair. We, the members of the United Nations, are fighting to preserve that free life to which man is born, and in this spirit we have called and are still calling upon every man and woman to help.” Speaking of the present Pacific situation, Sir Harry Luke said: “It is true that during the past few months the brightness of the prospect in this part of the world has been dimmed since that baleful plant, miscalled the Rising Sun, began with its death-dealing rays to burn up much of the fair body of eastern Asia, and since its hordes have. Like some cancer, eaten into our own Far Eastern'territories and those Gi our staunch, steadfast allies, the neroic Dutch, and no less heroic Chinese, but that phase of the war will pass, as have other hazardous phases.” Sir Harry said that to enable the civilians of Fiji to give the help they were anxious to provide, he had formed, under his chairmanship, a

board representative ol the main communities to co-ordinate the war effort of the civil population. He thanked all who helped by planting more food, and emphasised the need for making the colony self-supporting. He also announced an increase in the staff ol the information office, and said that, unlike Germany and Japan, who were attempting to hide their monstrous crimes from their own people, the British had entered the struggle with a clear conscience, and the more the people could be told about the war the more they would want to play their part against aggressors The'~moi;t remote palm-fringed atoll of the Pacific now had some conception of the horrors and sufferings of total war. Sir Harry said, but the sudden. treacherous challenge had brought, unity and determination to lhe many races which inhabit the scattered area. “Nowhere," he said, “has this been more noticeable than in the kingdom of Tonga, where, under the guidance of beloved Queen Salote, every section of the community has combined to prepare to resist the aggressor to the utmost, should lhe need arise."

Sir Harry also referred to the Ellice and Gilbert Islands, and said that although a few islands had been occupied by the enemy, this in no way impaired the loyalty or morale of the islanders. He also paid a tribute to “the undiminished friendliness" of the Free French in the Pacific. Sir Harry said that Fiji had contributed to the war effort £ 115,000. including £66,000 for bombers. £ 17,500 for the Rod Cross, and £25.600 for lighters. Tonga had given more than £ 11,000, in addition to £20,000 a year for two years towards defence The Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony had given £ 14,700, the British Solomon Islands £4OOO, the New Hebrides £5300. and Pitcairn gilts in kind.

AMERICAN AID. Sir Harry recalled the visit of the American naval squadron in April, 1941, and referred to a remark of the American admiral that the Americans were not far away. Americans were friends then; now they were allies, he said, and, as such, were a good deal nearer. “’The Battle of the Cora! Sea was comforting evidence of that,” he said. "We acknowledge with gratitude, and shall always recall with pride, the part played in that battle by the sailors and airmen of Australia, who are a shield between the aggressor and the shores of many Pacific islands as well as of their own continent. We know, too, that should they be given the chance, wnich 1 am sure they crave, of getting to grips with this new enemy, the tough, resourceful sons of New Zealand, many of whom now stand .guard on the soil of this colony, wiil cover themselves with equal glory. What with our relations and our friends, and the growing efficiency of our own small, but resolute, fighting force, not forgetting the Home Guard, we have reason to believe we shall be pretty well looked after."