Parliamentary Representation

of Pacific Territories

Vol. 1 —No. 10

May, 1931,

THE Commonwealth of Australia is responsible for the government of three large and important Pacific ter ritories —namely, the Mandated Terri tory of New Guinea, Papua and Nor folk Island. Measured by their trade figures, and by their annual budgets, they compare not unfavourably with the smallest Australian State. Federal decisions, and Federal officials, have a far wider application and far wider powers in those Territories than in Tasmania; yet Tasmania has a dozen elected representatives in the Federal Parliament, and the Territories have no representation whatever.

The Northern Territory, for a long time, was in the same position; but, after a lengthy period of agitation, the Northern Territory was given a non voting representative in the Common wealth Parliament. The fact that he is prevented, by constitutional limita tions, from recording a vote, does not matter very much; what is important is that he can, and does, place the views of Northern Territory residents before the House when any matter affecting their interests arises.

New Guinea, of course, is in a dif ferent category, nominally, from Papua and Norfolk Island. Actually, it is in a very similar position. On all matters affecting the general policy of the Government of each Territory, whether under Mandate or not, it is the will of the Federal Cabinet, ex pressed through the respective Admin istrators, which is carried into effect.

Local councils, mostly nominative, assist and advise the Administrators; and, on the whole, the system works very well —particularly in comparison with the chaotic mess which is called “popular government” in some of the Australian States. For the most part, the Administrators discharge their re sponsible duties very fairly and effici ently—there have been remarkably few protests against their rulings.

But, from time to time, there arise trade and financial problems which affect the whole of the people in a particular Territory; and concerning which the voice of the people as a whole should be heard. We are now approaching such a period. The world wide readjustment of values is certain to create conditions in all the Territor ies which will call for review of many important matters and concerning which Government authority certainly will be invoked; and it would be a great advantage to the Islands com munities, and make for their peace and contentment, if some direct chan nel of communication could be estab lished between the people and the Fed eral Government. We hesitate to sug gest any particular method that ought to be a subject of discussion— but we do urge that consideration be given to the general principle, particu larly as we are certain that a demand for something of the kind will pre sently arise.