From N.I.
p. 64 · Read in the full issue
A Few More Words
Letter to the Editor.
YOUR article on Pacific Islands Admin istrators in the P.I. Monthly of August is so amazing that ’twould be an act of lethargic cowardice were we to refrain from replying.
On what grounds was Capt. Pinney chosen for us? Presumably, on relation ship by marriage to Sir Hubert Murray, of Papua; and, belonging to this school, pos sibly trained in the government of Stone Age men.
Your judgment of our Administrator and your reference to the obligation of silence in referring to Administrators appears to us to be other than angelic inspiration.
If Norfolk Island has been well-governed, let those who think so permit us access to a properly constituted court, which at present we are denied.
Small wonder it is that Norfolk Island leads in the category of malignant admin istratorship, when one considers the mis government displayed by Australia's mediocre office-seekers.
Who is responsible for the co-ordinated plan from which they must not be de flected? We are conversant with Privy Council directions and correspondence of 1856 and 1857, supplied to us in faith and honour, and we would like to know “who’s was the hidden hand?”
Is this the little difference Mr. Lyons referred to? Mr. Lyons spoke with his tongue in his cheek, for he was aware of grave dissatisfaction. Mr. Scullin was also aware of administrative malevolence, yet he talks of “duty”!
Could you define an officer in a demo cratic system who accepts a statement of accounts showing revenue of £10,000 annually on the people’s behalf, without audit ?
We are not blacks, neither are we sor cerers, headhunters, or cannibals.
I am, etc., E. L. M. EDWARDS.
Secretary, Norfolk Island League.
October 3, 1934.
EDITORIAL NOTE: Our correspondent seems to be irritated about something; but we do not quite understand the source of his annoyance.
Presumably, his letter is sent to show that there actually is some discontent on N.I. The splenetic references to Captain Pinney and Sir Hubert Mur ray—if they really do convey the sentiments of the N.I. League—suggest that Mr. Macarthur Onslow had some excellent material to work upon, once he had decided to challence the authority of the Ad ministrator.