The Fiji Times excerpts from March 1 to
FIJI’S secondary brewery was to begin production in Lautoka in 1972 and a distillery was to follow it into production.
VATUKOULA gold mine workers had staged two strikes in three days, returning to work after being addressed by union officials. Diamond drillers refused to start work because a foreman used a fourletter word to one of the operators. They resumed work after three hours off the job.
A GENERAL election is unlikely to be held in Fiji in 1971, the Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, indicated. He said he felt it would be impractical for an election to be held by November.
TORRENTIAL rain over Taveuni caused two landslides at Tuvumaca, about seven miles outside Somosomo. The landslides cut off traffic in the Northern and Southern parts of the islands.
A STOPWORK notice should be served on the Government to prevent it building houses on a park reserve, a Sigatoka Township Board member said. Mr R. Mudaliar said he noticed that the Government had recently brought in building materials for construction of Government quarters at Lawaqa.
A FIRE left the Marine Department ship drifting helplessly about 15 miles off Nasilai near Suva. A department spokesman said the fire was a small one, but left the 70ft steel ship without power or lights.
TWO thousand people completed the 20-mile stride-out 71 course around Suva. Marist Brothers, who organised the stride-out, said the walkers ranged from Fiji government ministers to tiny tots.
TROPICAL Cyclone Thelma centered about 220 miles north-west of Nadi was reported to be moving slowly eastwards towards Fiji. The cyclone was creating winds of up to 35 to 40 knots.
TWO men reported missing in a punt from an island in the Mamanuca had been found 60 miles away at Vatulele. A radio-telephone message from Vatulele said the men came ashore.
A HONG KONG resident of American parentage whose name cropped up during United States investigations into corruption at army posts in Vietnam owns property in Fiji. He is William J. Crum, owner of the 24ft sloop Gannet, moored at Savusavu and about seven acres of freehold land near Matei Airport, Taveuni.
BEQA firewalkers, who performed regularly at the Korolevu Beach Hotel, had been given a pay rise of $4800 a year by the hotel.
THE employees of two Suva firms claim they were charged exorbitant interest rates for loans from their bosses. They said they were refused loans by their employers and the only way they could get money was from their bosses at "very high interest".
LAND on the Lau Island of Cicia leased to European settlers before Cession and which reverted to its Fijian owners was administered by a co-operative society. About 2000 acres of land of the 8254 acre island were formerly managed as copra plantations by Carpenters Fiji Ltd through a subsidiary company, Cicia Plantations Ltd.
TENDERS for the Nadi stage of the reconstruction of the Suva-Nadi road was to be called by Government in September. Construction companies were to be asked to submit firm prices and times for the reconstruction of the road between Nadi and Korotogo
and Suva and Deuba.
A CALL for legalised of prostitution in Fiji was made in the Senate. Senator Livai Nasilivata suggested that decent places should be provided from where prostitutes could operate.
THE Prime Minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, made it clear that he is opposed to Australia’s immigration policy, but he did not give a firm indication of the line he will take when he visits Australia.
WORSENING disorderliness and drunkenness could be blamed partly on the leadership of the Royal Fiji Police Force and the alcohol strength of local beer, a senator said. Senator Felix Emberson told the Senate he was completely unimpressed with the leadership of the police force.
CARLTON Brewery was silent on criticism made in the Senate of the strength of Fiji beer. A brewery spokesman declined to comment on an attack by Senator Felix Emberson who claimed that disorderliness and drunkenness could be blamed partly on the strength of local beer.
FIJI Teacher’s Union members at Nakaulevu Indian