Torres Islanders' Councils
p. 15 · Read in the full issue
NEW legislation by the Queensland Par liament separates the administrative machinery, which controls the Australian aborigines, from that which controls the numerous islands of Torres Strait, where there live a large number of natives of the Papuan type, for which the Queens land Government is responsible.
Hitherto, the same department con trolled the two classes of natives, but anomalies existed, because the mainland aborigines are so different from the is landers.
Under the new arrangement, the Torres Strait islanders have the right to ap point, for each island, a council of from three to five members. All natives over 18 may vote to elect councillors. Rates and taxes will be collected, and each is land becomes a local authority, with its own council.
Rev. and Mrs. A. J. Brooks, who re cently joined the Methodist Mission, have taken up duties at Bwaidoga, Papua.
Mrs. Page, wife of Rev. Rodger C. G.
Page, President of the Tonga Conference of the Methodist Church, died in Nukua lofa on September 21. She had been ill for several years. Mrs. Page served in Tonga with her husband for more than 30 years.