An Mp's Appointment To

Norfolk Island

From Our Own Correspondent

Canberra, Apr. 4.

MR. ALEX WILSON, former MP for Wimmera (Victoria), was appointed Administrator of Norfolk Island because his qualifications for the job were better than those of others available for the administratorship, the Minister for Ex ternal Territories (Mr. Ward) said in the House of Representatives to-day.

He was replying to Mr. Anthony, CP, NSW, who asked whether the position had been advertised, and whether it had been offered to any returned soldier.

In a series of questions directed to Mr.

Ward, Mr. Anthony added: “If no re turned soldier was offered the position, was it considered by the Government that no returned soldier was available and suitable for such appointment?”

Mr. Anthony also requested announce ment of the terms of the appointment of Mr. Wilson, together with details of salary, allowances, and expenses allowed him.

He asked Mr. Ward what previous administrative experience Mr. Wilson had had to fit him for the administrator ship, and what qualifications were con sidered as justifying Mr. Wilson’s ap pointment.

Mr. Ward replied: “Mr. Wilson has been appointed Administrator of Norfolk Island for seven years from January 1 this year. His salary is £l,OOO a year, with free furnished quarters, and afi . entertainment allowance of £l5O a year.

Mr. Wilson had long practical experi ence of agriculture, whilst his adminis trative ability had been demonstrated over a period of some years, when he was assisting the Minister for Commerce and Agriculture in the difficult task of organising Australia’s food front.

“The position was not advertised prior to Mr. Wilson’s appointment. The quali fications of all those who were considered suitable and available for the position were considered at the time. Mr. Wilson was considered to have the best quali fications for the position of those avail able.”

Opposition members have been con stantly critical of Mr. Wilson’s appoint ment, which, they claim, is the “pay off” for services rendered by him while he, as an Independent, helped to keep the Labour Government in power.

They also criticised the appointment of Mr. Coles, formerly MHR for Henty (Victoria), to the Airlines Commission.

Mr. Coles also helped to keep Labour in power.

A Franco-American agreement was signed in Paris in March regarding Franco-American airlines. America will be given the use of bases in Indo-China and New Caledonia, and France will be granted the use of bases in San Francisco, Chicago, and Porto-Rico.