Administration

Norfolk Island

Proposed Changes in Existing Method

AS a result of the recent official visit to Norfolk Island of the Federal Minister in Charge of Territories (Sir George Pearce), it is reported that several changes will be made in the present form of administration.

The Administrator is to relinquish the position of magistrate, and arrangements are to be made for the appointment of lo cal residents as justices of the peace to deal with minor criminal and civil cases. A magistrate will visit the island to deal with more serious cases.

The present Executive Council is to be terminated and to be replaced by a wholly elected Advisory Council, with the right to advise on all matters affecting Norfolk Island. There will be no nominee mem bers of the council.

The expenditure of public moneys is to be carried out by the Administrator, after consultation with the Advisory Council. The franchise is to remain as at present.

Later Details

Sir George Pearce, in an official announcement at Canberra on April 4, confirmed the rearrangements described above. He said he thought that the separation of the administration and judicial responsibilities would remove a certain antagonism against the Adminis trator (Captain Pinney) which he found on his visit to the Island. The new Advis ory Council will be composed of eight elected members. N.I. will be divided into four wards, each to elect two members.

It is intended to tighten up the regula

tions governing the sale of liquor, particu larly in relation to “home-brew” liquor.

The Commonwealth Government had al ready provided £2000 for expenditure on public works to assist the residents and a further £2000 will be made available. Representations will be made to the New Zealand Government in an effort to pro vide a market there for Norfolk Island produce.

Mr. W. D. Mackenzie, chairman and managing director of Lever Bros. Ltd., Sydney, has been appointed chairman of directors of Lever’s Pacific Plantations Pty. Ltd. and the Commonwealth Copra Co. Pty. Ltd., in succession to Mr. George Fulton, who has recently retired. Major F. R. Hewitt, formerly of the Solomon Islands, has also been appointed a direc tor of these companies.