GOVERNOR CHANCES MIND

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11415, 11 January 1923, Page 6

GOVERNOR CHANCES MIND

AMUSING FIJI INCIDENT. The residents of the capital are greatly amused at an incident relating to telephones (writes the Suva correspondent of the Auckland “Herald”). On the advice of the Treasurer, who is partly in charge of affairs, the Governor decided to reduce the vote for telephones by £250, which would mean that the exchange would be closfed from. 11.30 p.m. until 6 a.m. There was at onoe a great, uproar, and the elected members at once put up a strong protest. They pointed out that such a proposal weald place the city at the mercy of ire, while sick and injured people iv- uld run great risks by being unable to get in touch with a doctor.

Under pressure the Governor allowed open voting, that is, that official members were allowed to vote as they wished without regard to the Governor’s private wish. But the reduction was agreed to. The press was furious, and it- was decided to at once cal! a monster meeting in protest. But the fun commenced next morning when the Legislative Counoil reav sembled. It appears that Lady Rodwell heard of the proposal only afteT the motion had been oarried. Shortly after ooening, the Governor agreed to the Bill being recommitted, and gave as his reason for his volte face, amid general laughter, that his views had changed on the subject, '‘as after the vote yesterday I found myself in serious domestic trouble.” So the service was re-established, and the sick and suffering, and the owners of valuable property have much to thank Her Ladyship for.